第一篇:英语成语 mouth
MOUTH
1.be all mouth(BrE also)be all mouth and(no)trousers(informal)if you say someone is all mouth, you mean that they talk a lot about doing something, but are, in fact, not brave enough to do it 说说而已;雷声大,雨点小;口说一大套,没有勇气去做到 1.1 De be scared of her.She won’t hurt you — she’s all mouth.不要怕她。她不会伤害你 — 他只是说说而已。
1.2 He said that anyone caught trespassing on his land would be taken to police, but he was all mouth to scare away the trespassers.他说任何人闯入他的土地被抓住要被送往警察,但他只是说说而已目的是要吓走那些私闯者们。
2.be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth
be born into a very rich family 生在富贵人家;生来富贵
2.1 He is a perfectly well bred man whose conduct is deserving of highest praise and he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.他是个有完好教养的人,他的品行应受到高度称颂,而他是生在富贵人家。
2.2 They had both been born with silver spoons in their mouths, and never had to worry about money.他们俩都是生来富贵,从不为钱发愁。
3.butter wouldn’t melt in one’s mouth(spoken)a person looks very innocent, but probably is not;a person is very nice to people, but is not sincere;acts very polite and friendly, but does not really care 虚情假意;花言巧语;看来老实;其实安然
3.1 She looks as if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but don’t be fooled by first impression.她看来好像很老实而其实不然,不要被她给你第一印象所愚弄。
3.2 He was always marked his anger with a cheerful smile and pretended to be polite and respectful to people without sincerity — the looked as if butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.他总是以动人的微笑掩盖他的愤怒,他装着以礼待人和尊纵别人而毫无诚意 — 都是虚情假意。
4.be word of mouth in spoken, not written words Note: A humorous way to refer to communication through modern methods, such as e-mail or chat rooms, is “by word of mouse”(= a computer mouse)口头(并非书面)通知 一种幽默的方式指通过现代化方法通讯,例如电子邮件或聊天室等,是“鼠标文字” “by word of mouse” 4.1 The news spread by word of mouth.这一消息由口头传播开了。
4.2 The news got around by word of mouse.这一消息由网上传播开了。
4.3 It’s often a secret way to pass down the instruction of a higher leading body to grass — root units by word of mouth.常见的秘密方式把上级的指示口头传达到各个基层。
4.4 „after attempting several letters, and failing in them all, he resolved to do it by word of mouth.(Charles Dickens, “Flard Times”, BookⅠ, ChapterⅩⅤⅠ)
„他一连写了几封信,都不成功,于是决定亲自口头通知他。
5.down in the mouth(informal)unhappy and depressed 垂头丧气;沮丧;气馁
5.1 Why is she looking so down in the mouth?
为什么她看来那么垂头丧气?
5.2 All the players were down in mouths when their team had lost the final.当她们的队输了决赛时,所有队员都很沮丧。
6.foam at the mouth(informal)be extremely angry Note: If an animal foams at the mouth, it has a mass of small bubbles in an around its mouth, especially because it is very ill or angry.极其愤怒;恼怒至极;口吐泡沫
6.1 He stood there foaming at the mouth.I’ve never seen anybody so angry.6.2 He was highly incensed at such a smear, foaming at mouth.他被如此侮辱完全激怒了,简直愤怒到了极点。
6.3 He was really foaming at the mouth when he has a flat tire again.当轮胎又爆了时,他真是恼怒极了。
7.(straight)from the horse’s mouth / out of the horse’s mouth(of information, etc)directly from the person who really knows because they are closely connected with its source;from the source of original statement 最直接的信息源;来自原始的信息源;据最可靠的消息 7.1 “How do you know he’s leaving? “I got it straight from the horse’s mouth.He told me himself.” “你怎么知道他要走了?”
“我从最原始的信息源获悉的,是他本人告诉我的。”
7.2 It’s the first-hand tips straight from the horse’s mouth that the Chairman will soon resign.据第一首最可靠的信息董事长很快就会辞职了。
8.have(got)a plum in one’s mouth(BrE disapproving)speak in a way that is thought to be typical of the English upper classes.言谈高雅;被认为上流阶段的典型言谈方式;言语趾高气扬 8.1 Speaks as if she’s got a plum in her mouth.她讲起话来好像趾高气扬。
9.heart in / into one’s mouth one feels very anxious or afraid 深为惊恐;深感忧虑;焦虑万分;诚惶诚恐
9.1 My heart was in my mouth as I waited to hear whether the jury would find me guilty or not guilty.我等待陪审团宣布我是否有罪时,真是诚惶诚恐。9.2 A sound brought my heart into mouth.(Robert Stevenson, “Treasure Island”, Chapter Ⅳ)这一声响使我吓得要命。
9.3 When I was going into the vacant haunted house where a profound silence that prevailed over all brought my heart into my mouth.当我走进那空无一人的凶宅时,那里万籁俱寂时我害怕极了。
9.4 As being conscience he went to see the Right Reverend with his heart in his mouth.由于受到良心谴责,他们诚惶诚恐的心情去见主教。
9.5 She was telling a story of a ghost to the children whose hearts were in their mouth and their hair stood on end as the ghost made its appearance at night.她对那些恐惧万分的孩子们讲鬼故事,她将到鬼在晚上出现时孩子们毛发悚然。
10.keep one’s mouth shut / shut your mouth / trap / face / gob(informal)a rude way of telling someone to be quite, stop talking or stay silent Note: trap and gab are slang words for “human mouth”.闭嘴
10.1 “Shut your mouth,” Roger said, “or I’ll kick you out.”
“闭嘴,”罗杰说,“否则我把你踢出门外。” 10.2 Why can’t you learn to keep your big mouth shut?
你怎么学不会闭上你的臭嘴? 10.3 If you’ll just shut your trap / gob / mouth long enough I’ll explain what’s wrong.如果只要你把你的嘴闭上相当时间,我就解释出了什么差错。
11.laugh on the wrong side of one’s mouth / laugh on the other side of one’s mouth / laugh out of the other side of one’s mouth(informal)get the worst of something that had seemed to be an advantage;have a joke turned against one;change from joy to sorrow;be severely disappointed in one’s hope(often continuous tenses)变优势为劣势;变胜局为败局;把笑话转而取消某人;转喜为悲;变希望为失望
11.1 Once he hears the results and finds that he hasn’t won as he expected, he’ll be laughing out of the wrong wide of his mouth.一旦他听到了这样的结果并发现他并没像他预料的会赢,他将会转喜为悲。
11.2 He boasted that he was a good skater, but after he fell, he would be laughing out of the other side of his mouth.他吹嘘他是一个溜冰能手,但他摔倒后,他将会转喜为悲。
11.3 Tom used to be the top one in the examination of many subjects.He fails to pass some this time, he will be laughing out of the other side of his mouth.汤姆过去许多门学科考试都拔尖。这一回他却有些学科不及格,却转忧为劣。
12.leave a bad / nasty taste in the / one’s mouth(of an experience)make you feel angry, bitter or disgusted 使人愤怒,痛苦或厌恶
12.1 The idea that the money had been stolen from her sick mother left a nasty taste in the mouth.她的脑中深印着从他的有病的母亲那里那笔钱被偷走了,真是她感到气愤。12.2 When you see someone being treated so unkindly, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.当你看到有人被如此虐待,你感到厌恶。
12.3 In order to be promoted, he made the best of his way to grease his chief’s palm.What he had done left a nasty taste in my mouth.为了获得提升他想方设法去贿赂头头。他的所做所为真令人恶心。
13.live from hand to mouth spend all money you earn on basic needs such as food, without being able to save any money;live poorly;adj.hand-to-mouth 仅足糊口;生活得穷困潦倒
13.1 The unemployed worker tired hard to get a job, as he was worried about his family living from hand to mouth, borrowing money and never being sure where their next meal was coming from.那个失业的工人想尽一切办法去找工作,因为他担心他的家人生活在穷困潦倒之中借钱度日,从来没有保证他们的下一顿饭不知来自何处。13.2 There’s no way we can even think about going on holiday this year;as we are literally living from hand to mouth.今年想要去度假,连门都没有,因为我们简直是仅足以糊口 13.3 Most of our people struggle for hand-to-mouth existence.我们大多数人未仅足以糊口的生存而挣扎。
14.(not)look a gift horse in the mouth(informal)(not)find something wrong with something given to you free;to complain if a gift is not perfect(usually negative)Origin: The usual way to judge the age of a horse is to look at its teeth 送来的礼物就不要挑剔;决不抱怨礼物有瑕疵;送来的马不验牙
14.1 I shan’t complain about the poor view since the ticket was free;after all, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.既然门票是免费的,我就不抱怨风景很差,终究送给你不会去验他的牙齿。
14.2 He didn’t want to accept the offer of a free holiday but I told him not to look a gift horse in the mouth.他并不想接受给他提供的免费度假,然而我告诉他送来的礼物就不要挑剔了。
14.3 The Hong Kong Jockey Club presented policemen patrol squad of Dalian City with a gift of some horse.The policemen were unlikely to look those gift horse in the mouth.香港赛马会送给大连女警巡逻队一些马匹。女警就未必会对送来的马匹去验马。
15.make one’s mouth water make someone feel hungry;make one wants very much to eat or drink something one sees or smells;make someone want to do or to have something very much 使人垂涎欲滴;使人渴望获得;使人垂涎三尺;吸引人 15.1 The smell of your cooking is making my mouth water.你的烹调香味是我垂涎欲滴。
15.2 The sight of all that money make his mouth water.一看到所有那些钱就是他垂涎三尺。
15.3 The jewels displayed in the window made lady passerby’s mouth water.橱窗展出的珠宝把过路女士们吸引住了。
16.me and my big mouth used when you realize that you said something you should not have said Origin: Big mouth, one who talks too much or too loudly 我本来就不该说,我有多嘴了。
16.1 I Shouldn’t have said that me and my big mouth!(意识到说了些本不该说的话)我有多嘴了!我有管不住我的嘴了!
17.melt in one’s mouth(of food)be soft and very good to eat(指食物)入口即溶化;美味可口;香嫩可口 17.1 They serve steaks that melt in your mouth.他们供应美味可口的牛排。
17.2 I like to have custard tarts or cocoanut tarts with my tea, they melt in the mouth.我喜欢喝茶时吃蛋挞或者椰挞,它们入口即溶化。17.3 The sirloin steak was s o tender that it melted in your mouth.腰方肌牛排肉很嫩一直入口即溶化。
18.open your(big)mouth(informal)say something when you should not 说不该说的话
18.1 Why do you always have to open your big mouth? Can’t you just keep quiet sometimes?
为什么你总是说你不该说的话?有时你就不能免开尊口吗? 18.2 Don’t open your big mouth too wide.No one will get along with you.不要说太多你不该说的话,不会有人同意你的。
19.put one’s foot in one’s mouth / in it(informal)say or do something that upsets, offends or embarrasses someone without intending to 出口不逊;不知分寸;使人陷入窘境;弄糟;无意中伤了人;闯祸
19.1 Jane didn’t know you were still in town at the time of her party;now you’ve put your foot in your mouth.珍并不知道你举办晚会时你仍然在镇上,现在你已经无意中伤了人。19.2 Every time she opens her mouth she puts her foot in it.每次说话都不知分寸。
19.3 He really put his foot in his mouth when he mentioned the party to her.She hadn’t beer invited.你真是使人陷入窘境竟然向他提起那晚会,而他并没有被邀请。
19.4 Bill Clark put in his mouth with his remark about armchair strategist who gave his advice blindly when his chief was just standing behind and he might think Bill was alluding to him.当比尔·克拉克的头头正好站在后面是比尔出言不逊批评瞎指挥的门造成的领导,他很可能认为比尔在影射他。
19.5 The secretary put her foot in her mouth when she spilled coffee on her boss.20.put one’s head in the lion’s mouth deliberate put oneself in a dangerous or risky situation(有意要)置身险境;置身虎口、狮子中;冒险 20.1 So I put my head in the lion’s mouth and asked my boss for a pay rise.我把自己置身于险境冒昧陈辞要求老板加薪。
20.2 He put his head in the lion’s mouth;he didn’t want to leave when typhoon was menacing his house with instant destruction.他把自己置身于险境,当局风筝在威胁他的房子顷刻即毁时,他还不愿离开他家。
20.3 Some riders put their heads in the lion’s mouth to grab a handful of robs(to take a train by illegally jumping on and off).有些铁道偷窃犯冒死非法跳上跳下火车。
21.put one’s money where one’s mouth is(informal)show that one really means what one says by actually doing something, giving money, etc.rather than just talking about 说到做到;说话算数;绝非说说而已
21.1 The government talks about helping disabled people, but doesn’t put into where its mouth is.政府无论如何帮助残疾人,但是话说到了钱未到位,说说而已。
21.2 You think she’ll win? Come one, then, out your money where your mouth is(= have a bet with me).你认为她赢?那么来吧。你的话到钱到(敢与我打赌)。
21.3 I claim your promise — put your money where your mouth is — abide by your promise.我要求你实践你的诺言 — 说到做到而绝非说说而已 — 你要守约。
22.put words in(to)someone’s mouth(informal)to make statement that one claim are the opinions of someone else with whom one is speaking;say or suggest that someone has said something when they have not 把别人没有说过的话勉强加在别人头上;言而无据;无中生有;歪曲原意 22.1 I never mentioned going away for a holiday, don’t put words into my mouth.我从来没有说过要外出度假,别把这些话强加在我的心上。
22.2 You’re putting words in my mouth.I didn’t say the whole house was dirty;I just said the living room needed a clean.你在歪曲我的原意,我并没有说整栋房子很脏,我只是说起居室需要打扫一下。22.3 She went so far as to imagine Martin proposing, herself putting the words into his mouth„
(Jack London, “Martin Edem ”, Chapter ⅩⅩ)
她竟然凭想象马丁向她求婚,她自己把她的话强加在他的头上。
22.4 I didn’t said that I would be in favour of your idea.You have put words into my mouth.我并没有说我会赞成你的意见,是你把你的想说的话强加在我的头上。
23.shoot one’s mouth off(about something)shoot at the mouth 1.talk publicly or carelessly about things which should be secret(often continuous tenses)欠慎重泄露秘密;公开谈个人隐私
23.1.1 This is a secret.Please don’t shoot your mouth off to everyone about it.这是一个秘密。请你不要随随便便想人人泄漏它。
23.1.2 Don’t you go shooting your mouth off about the secret I’ve told you;remember, I trust you.我对你讲的秘密你不会很随便就泄漏吧;要记住,我信得过你。2.talk loudly and with too much pride about something(often continuous tenses)瞎吹嘘;胡扯;过分渲染;像连珠炮胡乱夸口;信口开河
23.2.1 Mark is always shooting his mouth off about all the money he earns.麦克总是瞎吹嘘他全部收入有多少钱。
23.2.2 They got offended when he was shooting off his mouth about their personal business.当他口无遮拦公开讨论他们个人的私事,他们感到很生气。
24.shut someone’s mouth stop someone from saying something, especially from revealing a secret 堵住某人的嘴;使某人缄口
24.1 His employers tired to shut his mouth by offering him money, but he told the story to the newspapers anyway.他的雇主想用钱堵住他的嘴,但他还是把事情的经过告诉了各报纸。
24.2 The official in change of the public bidding for the important project could not shut the mouths of the tenders invited, the disclosure of his palm being greased by the tenders was reported in all media.负责主管重大工程招标的官员不能堵住竞标者的嘴,竞表者行贿他被揭露出来并在所有媒体都有报导。
25.take the words(right)out of somebody’s mouth say exactly what another person was going to say;say what someone was just thinking 说别人正想要说的;说别人正在思考的 25.1 “The speed limit on motorways should be raised.“I agree completely!You’ve taken the words right out of my mouth.“公路上的限速应当要被提高。” “我完全同意!这正是我想要说的。”
25.2 You’ve taken the words out of my mouth — I just had the very same thought!你已经说了我想要说的 — 我正好有完全同样的想法。
26.watch your mouth / tongue be careful what you say in order not to offend somebody or make them angry 要慎于言;管好自己的嘴(不要冒犯鄙人或令人生气)26.1 Now you just watch your mouth around your grandparents, Billy!
比利,在你的爷爷奶奶面前说话要小心!
26.2 You’ll have a good scolding if you don’t watch your mouth.如果你不管好自己的嘴你要挨一顿臭骂!
第二篇:幼儿园小班英语活动教案:Eye Nose Mouth
www.hoing.net
幼儿园小班英语活动教案:Eye Nose Mouth 活动目标:
1.教幼儿能听懂并说出眼睛、鼻子、嘴巴的英文名称(eye.Mouse.Mouth)2.通过各种游戏活动,培养幼儿学习英语的兴趣。3.通过各种游戏练习,使幼儿了解各器官的作用和功能。
活动准备
1.字卡:eye[ai]眼睛 nose(nauz)鼻子 mouth[mau]嘴巴 2.粘贴小红花若干 3.磁带
活动过程:
1.听录音,和老师一起做“五官操”,以及激发幼儿的学习热情,并让幼儿接触“eye, mose, mouth”的发音。儿歌:
eye、eye、eye.眨呀眨 nose、nose、nose
闻一闻 mouth、mouth、mouth 波波波 ears、ears、ears
听声音 2.学习单词:eye、mouse、mouth.(师):我们每个人都有一张“Face”,在我们的”face”上长有器官,谁能告诉我这些器官的名称,小朋友边说老师边在黑板上画五官,并用英语说:eye two eyes nose mouth。最后添上头发,耳朵画成一个调度小男孩。幼儿练习“eye mouse mouth”时按五官的上下顺序,同时注意幼儿发音是否规范。3.游戏:
摸鼻眼(摸对者奖励小红花)方法:
师:touch your eyes, one、two、three,www.hoing.net
幼:(手指眼睛)here、here、here,师:touch your nose, one、two、three,幼(手指鼻子)here、here、here,师:touth your mouth, one、two、three.幼:(手指嘴边)here、here、here。4.活动延伸:
方法:小朋友每三人一组,给缺少五官的脸谱添画eye nose mouth在添画时告诉大家你画的是什么。5.结束:
和老师一起做“五官操”,然后逐步下课
第三篇:英语教案-Eye Nose Mouth
英语教案-Eye Nose Mouth 活动目标:
1.教幼儿能听懂并说出眼睛、鼻子、嘴巴的英文名称(eye.Mouse.Mouth)
2.通过各种游戏活动,培养幼儿学习英语的兴趣。
3.通过各种游戏练习,使幼儿了解各器官的作用和功能。
活动准备
1.字卡:eye[ai]眼睛
nose(nauz)鼻子
mouth[mau]嘴巴
2.粘贴小红花若干
3.磁带
活动过程 :
1.听录音,和老师一起做“五官操”,以及激发幼儿的学习热情,并让幼儿接触“eye, mose, mouth”的发音。
儿歌:
eye、eye、eye.眨呀眨
nose、nose、nose
闻一闻
mouth、mouth、mouth 波波波
ears、ears、ears
听声音
2.学习单词:eye、mouse、mouth.(师):我们每个人都有一张“Face”,在我们的”face”上长有器官,谁能告诉我这些器官的(转载自本网http://www.xiexiebang.com,请保留此标记。)名称,小朋友边说老师边在黑板上画五官,并用英语说:eye two eyes nose mouth。最后添上头发,耳朵画成一个调度小男孩。幼儿练习“eye mouse mouth”时按五官的上下顺序,同时注意幼儿发音是否规范。
3.游戏:
摸鼻眼(摸对者奖励小红花)
方法:
师:touch your eyes, one、two、three,幼:(手指眼睛)here、here、here,师:touch your nose, one、two、three,幼(手指鼻子)here、here、here,师:touth your mouth, one、two、three.幼:(手指嘴边)here、here、here。
4.活动延伸:
方法:小朋友每三人一组,给缺少五官的脸谱添画eye nose mouth在添画时告诉大家你画的是什么。
5.结束:
和老师一起做“五官操”,然后逐步下课
您可以访问本网(www.xiexiebang.com)查看更多与本文《英语教案-Eye Nose Mouth》相关的文章。
第四篇:英语成语
英语成语(idiom)
1、by the skin of one’s teeth 九死一生
2、foot the bill 付账
3、on foot 步行
4、no pains, no gains 不劳则无获
5、screw up one’s courage 鼓起勇气、壮起胆子
6、to the manner born 与生俱来的
7、a pond of flesh 合法但悖于情理的要求
8、man Friday 忠仆、得力助手
9、Brevity is the soul of wit 言以简为贵
10、A little learning is a dangerous thing 一知半解是危险的
11、Live not to eat, but eat to live 活着不是为了吃饭,吃饭是为了活着
12、Knowledge is power 知识就是力量
13、Judas’s kiss 犹大之吻,比喻出卖朋友
14、much cry and little wool 雷声大,雨点小,比喻空叫喊
15、turn the other cheek 忍受暴力、忍受侮辱
16、the window’s cruse 寡妇的坛子,比喻取之不尽的财富
17、The spirit is willing, but the flash is weak 心有余而力不足
18、salt of the earth 社会的中坚
19、Spare the rod and spoil the child 棒打出孝子 20、Midas touch 挣钱的本领
21、Pandora’s box 潘多拉的盒子,引申为灾祸之源
22、Sphinx’s riddle 难解之谜
23、the heel of Achilles 唯一的弱点、要害
24、between Scylla and Charybdis 比喻进退维谷、腹背受敌
25、Dead Sea fruit 比喻某些事物金玉其外、败絮其中,华而不实
26、naked truth 原原本本的事实、赤裸裸的事实
27、kill the goose that laid the golden eggs 杀鸡取卵、涸泽而渔
28、sour grapes 聊以自慰的话
29、bell the cat 替别人冒险 30、cat’s paw 被别人利用的人
31、the lion’s share 最大的份额
32、the last straw 终于使人不能忍受的最后一击
33、a wolf in sheep’s clothing 比喻危险人物、面善心毒的人
34、King Log 比喻徒有虚名而不闻朝政的国王
35、cry wolf 比喻发假警报
36、meet one’s Waterloo 一败涂地
37、burn one’s boats(bridges)破釜沉舟
38、the sword of Damocles 眼前的灾难
39、a man for all seasons 比喻博学多才、适应性强的人 40、Mickey mouse 比喻无关紧要的人物
41、Carey Street 破产
42、Indian File 鱼贯而行、一路纵队
43、a feather in one’s cap 炫耀荣誉
44、nest egg 储备金
45、a skeleton at the feast 居安思危、扫兴的家伙或事物
46、wrong side(get out of bed on the wrong side)一大早就发脾气,心绪不好
47、as wise as owls 聪明
48、as quiet as a mouse 安静如鼠、非常安静
49、as timid as a rabbit 胆小如鼠 50、no spring chicken 已不再年轻的女人
51、swan song 告别演出
52、bury one’s head in the sand 采取逃避措施、逃避现实
53、come out of the cocoon 停止自我封闭,开始与人交往
54、keep one’s head above water 使人免遭灭顶之灾、理好财
55、on the rocks 触礁、濒临破裂
56、all at sea 茫然
57、nail one’s colors to the mast 坚持立场
58、go with the stream 随波逐流
59、hold out an/the olive branch 愿意讲和 60、nip in the bud 防微杜渐、把„„扼杀在襁褓之中 61、reap what one has sowed 种瓜得瓜,种豆得豆 62、a bed of roses 舒适的生活
63、as cool as a cucumber 泰然自若、冷静 64、turn over a new leaf 改头换面 65、hear through the grapevine 道听途说 66、beat around the bush 旁敲侧击 67、spill the beans 泄露秘密 68、rain cats and dogs 倾盆大雨
69、cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face 为了泄愤反而害己
70、play one’s cards close to one’s chest 保守秘密 71、bill and coo 说情话
72、a friend in need is a friend indeed 患难见真交 73、stare one in the face 明显在眼前 74、look one in the face 勇敢地面对 75、bring the house down 博得全场喝彩 76、bring the roof down 震塌屋顶 77、walls have ears 隔墙有耳
78、be/feel under the weather 感觉不舒服、生病 79、beat generation 迷惘的一代 80、on the carpet 受训斥 81、long time no see 好久不见 82、a fat salary 高薪
83、a watched pot never boils 心急水难开 84、kick the bucket 死去、断气 85、at large 逍遥法外 86、good-for-nothing 废物,饭桶 87、go the whole hog 干到底
88、jump down one’s throat 突然猛烈攻击 89、talk through one’s hat 胡言乱语
90、all the world and his wife 人人、所有的人 91、get one’s number 看清某人的真面目 92、easy on the eye 悦目的 93、crocodile tears 假悲伤 94、a dog’s life 悲惨的生活
95、the apple of one’s eye 表示某人对自己十分重要 96、as old as the hills 古老的
97、as poor as a church mouse 非常穷、一文不名 98、as easy as pie 非常容易 99、as dead as mutton 确已死了
100、a fine kettle of fish 一塌糊涂或艰难的境况 101、a wet blanket 扫兴的人
102、at the eleventh hour 在最后一刻 103、kick the bucket 死去 104、the gift of the gab 口才 105、paint the town red 狂欢 106、face the music 敢作敢当
隐喻(明喻)成语
Head、brain、mind 与“思考”联系在一起 107、lose one’s head 慌乱 108、be light in the head 愚蠢 109、not make head or tail of 不理解
110、rack one’brain 绞尽脑汁 111、beat one’s brains out 想尽办法
112、have one’s head screwed on the right way 有智谋 113、cry one’s head off 抱头大哭
114、keep one’s head above water 免遭灭顶之灾 115、fresh in one’s mind 心灵的窗户
nose与“观察、干预、侦察”联系在一起
116、poke/push one’s nose into sth 探听某事 117、win by a nose 险胜
118、pay through the nose 被敲竹杠
119、keep one’s nose to the grindstone 埋头苦干
eye与“看、注视或看到的事物”联系在一起 120、keep an eye on 密切注视 121、see eye to eye 意见一致 122、be an eyesore 让人看不下去 123、make eyes at 送秋波
mouth、lips、tongue、throat、gums与“说”联系在一起 124、button one’s lip 保持沉默 125、hold one’s tongue 保持沉默 126、not find one’s tongue 无言以对 127、word of mouth 口头表达的 128、beat one’s gums 废话连篇 129、pay lip service 口惠而实不至 130、be honey-lipped 嘴甜
131、bad-mouth somebody 说某人的坏话 132、poor mouth 哭穷 133、zip one’s lips 闭上嘴 134、a slip of the tongue 说走了嘴
135、speak with one’s tongue in one’s cheek 假惺惺地说 136、smite with the tongue 血口喷人 137、be down in the mouth 垂头丧气 138、cut one’s own throat 自取灭亡 139、get a lump in one’s throat 哽咽
heart与“直觉、情感、精神、勇气、宽厚或热情”联系在一起 140、break one’s heart 使某人极度伤心
141、have one’s heart in the one’s mouth 非常焦急或害怕、恐惧
142、with all one’s heart 真心诚意的
143、not have one’s heart in the right place 心术不正 144、be/feel sick at heart 心里特别难受
145、wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve 过于直率 146、word from the bottom of one’s heart 肺腑之言
hand与“有技术和有力量的人、助手”联系在一起 147、eat out of one’s hand 完全顺从某人 148、from hand to mouth 仅够糊口
149、bite the hand that feeds one 恩将仇报 150、have one’s hands full 忙得不可开交 151、gain the upper hand 占上风
152、marry with the left hand 与比自己门第低的女人结婚 153、overplay one’s hand 过高估计自己的力量 154、play into someone’s hands 正中下怀 155、grease the hand of 向„„行贿 156、fold one’s hands 袖手旁观 157、wash one’s hands of 洗手不干
finger与“行事、指示、捞好处”联系在一起 158、burn one’s fingers 因鲁莽而吃苦头 159、have sticky fingers 手不老实
160、have a finger in the pie 为谋取私利而参与某事 161、let something slip through one’s fingers 痛失良机 162、all thumbs 笨手笨脚
163、not lift a finger 一点也不帮忙 164、twiddle one’s thumbs 闲得无聊 165、lay a finger on somebody 碰某人一指头 166、be counter on the fingers 屈指可数 167、under sb’s thumb 仰人鼻息
Stomach与“胃口、愿望、意向”联系在一起 168、turn one’s stomach 让人恶心
blood 与“生命、活力或勇气”联系在一起 169、in cold blood 残忍地
170、make one’s blood boil 使某人愤怒 171、make one’s blood run cold 使某人不寒而栗 172、blood relationship 骨肉至亲
bone 与“本质、骨子”联系在一起 173、feel in one’s bones 确信
174、have a bone to pick with somebody 同某人争论 175、make no bones about 对„„毫不犹豫 176、be bone idle 懒透了 177、be all bones 瘦得像一把骨头 178、be a lazy bone 懒骨头
flesh 与“力量”联系在一起
179、The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak 心有余而力不足
180、A thorn in someone’s flesh 眼中钉,肉中刺 181、flesh and blood 血肉
nerves 与“感情、情绪”联系在一起 182、get on one’s nerves 使某人恼怒
183、keep one’s nerves on edge 使某人感到心烦意乱
gall 与“厚颜无耻”联系在一起
184、have the gall to do something 厚着脸皮去干某事
leg、foot、heel与“行走、立足、立场、理据”联系在一起 185、not have a leg to stand on 论点站不住脚 186、on one’s last legs 垂死
187、full(land)on one’s feet 安然脱离危险 188、put one’s foot down 采取坚定立场 189、set foot on 进入、到达
190、get off on the wrong foot 出师不利 191、get off on the right foot 旗开得胜
192、be head over heels in love with somebody 深深低爱着某人
193、at one’s heels 紧跟在某人后面,紧追不舍 194、take to one’s heels 逃走 195、down at the heels 衣衫褴褛 196、cool one’s heels 久等
197、kick up one’s heels 高兴地跳起来
动词成语:常见形式是动词+宾语
198、to help a lame dog over a stile 助人渡过难关 199、to set one’s home in order 进去内部调整
名词成语:常见形式是定语+名词 200、salt of the earth 社会中坚力量 201、a dark horse 竞争中出人意料的获胜者 介词成语:常见形式是介词+介词宾语 202、on thin ice 如履薄冰
203、between the devil and the deep sea 进退维谷 204、in deep water 陷入困境之中
205、形容快乐: As merry as a lark As happy as a clam As merry as a cricket
206、形容贪婪: As greedy as a dog As greedy as a wolf
207、形容强壮: As strong as a horse As strong as a lion As strong as a bull As strong as an ox
208、Like a cat on hot bricks 局促不安、热锅上的蚂蚁 209、Look like something the cat has brought in 看来不整洁的
210、Look like the cat that ate the canary 自鸣得意
211、Run around like a scalded cat 四处奔忙
212、As busy as a bee
非常忙碌
213、as firm as a rock 坚如磐石
214、as light as a feather 轻如鸿毛
215、as free as air 自由自在
216、as fierce as a tiger 凶猛如虎
217、as heavy as lead 十分沉重
218、as silent as the grave 寂静无声
219、as pretty as a picture 美丽如画 220、as silly as a goose 愚蠢如鹅 221、as sure as the Bible 像圣经一样确实 222、as warm as toast 像烤面包一样热 223、as cunning as a cuttlefish 像乌贼一样狡猾
224、as thick as two short planks 像两块短木板那样粗厚,非常笨 225、as poor as a church mouse 一贫如洗 226、as rich as a Jew 富可敌国
227、as plentiful as blackberries 多如牛毛 228、to sleep like a log 酣睡
229、to spend money like water 挥金如土 230、to go like the wind 飞驰
231、to fight like cat and dog 激烈地争执 232、add fuel to the flames 火上加油 233、a bolt from the blue 晴天霹雳 234、castles in the air 空中楼阁
235、constant dropping wears the stone
水滴石穿
236、you will cross that bridge when you get to it 船到桥头自然直 237、like a koala up a gum tree 进退两难 238、meet one’s Waterloo 形容遭到惨败 239、carry coals to Newcastle 多此一举
英语谚语(English proverbs)
1、Lift is long if it is full.生活充实,生命长久
2、If you lie upon thorns when old.少壮不努力,老大徒伤悲
3、Better die standing than live kneeling.宁愿站着死,不愿跪着生
4、He who keeps company with a wolf will learn to howl.近墨者黑
5、All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.只工作而不娱乐会使人变傻
6、Waste not, want not.不浪费,就不会匮乏
8、Care kills the cat.忧虑伤身
9、Little strokes fell great oaks.水滴石穿
10、Take heed will surely speed.谨慎是迅速成功的保障
11、After dinner sit a while after supper walk a mile.午饭后要坐,晚饭后要走
12、Money borrowed is soon sorrowed.钱刚借到手,立刻便担忧
13、Birds of a father flock together.物以类聚,人以群分
14、Up corn, down horn
谷贵则肉贱
15、Translators, traitors.翻译易,忠实难
16、Fast bind, fast find.藏得好,丢不了
17、Well fed, well bred.吃得饱,懂礼貌
18、Many dishes, many diseases.食多病多
19、It is easier to fall than rise.学坏容易学好难
20、It is love that makes the world go round.正是爱,它使地球转动
21、What great crime than loss of time?
有什么更大的罪恶能比上浪费时间
22、The more the merrier, the fewer the better cheer.人多好做事,人少好吃饭
23、Never do things by halves.凡事不可半途而废
24、Sow nothing, reap nothing.不播种,没收获
25、Keep good men company and you shall be to the number.近朱者赤
26、Give him an inch, and he will take an ell.得寸进尺
27、He laughs best who laughs last.谁笑在最后,谁笑得最好
28、All things are easy that are done willingly.愿做的事容易做
29、He can not speak well that can not hold his tongue.好讲话的人讲不好话
30、They must hunger in frost that not work in heat.少壮不努力,老大徒伤悲
(If you lie upon thorns when old.)
7、Many man, many minds.十个人,十条心
31、One man(is meant)no man.个人是渺小的
32、As the tree(you plant),so the fruit(you get).栽什么树,结什么果
33、A little labor,(brings)much health.劳动搞一点,健康大有益
34、(It is)Better(to be)glorious death than a shameful life.宁可站着死,不可跪着生
(Better die standing than live kneeling.)
35、Where(there is)doubt, there truth is.有疑问的地方,便是真理所在
36、Lifeless, faultless.只有死人才不犯错误
37、Nothing seek, nothing find.无所求则无所获
38、Laugh and grow fat.心宽体胖
39、Roll my log and I’ll roll yours.与人方便,与己方便
40、Knowledge makes humble, ignorance makes proud.知识使人谦虚,无知使人骄傲
41、Promise little, but do much.少许愿,多做事
42、A lazy youth, a lousy age.少来懒惰老来苦
43、One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh:but the earth abideth for ever.人事自更替,地球自远行
44、Claw me and I will claw thee.你捧我来我捧你
45、One woe doth tread upon another’s hell.祸不单行
46、Who chatters to you, will chatter of you.搬弄是非者必是小人
47、Who shows mercy to an enemy denies it to himself.对敌人的仁慈就是对自己的残忍
48、A man is as old as he feels to be.老不老,自己晓
49、A miss is as good as a mile.失之毫厘,差之千里 50、Time flies like an arrow.光阴似箭
51、Speech is silver, silence is gold.说话是银,沉默是金
52、Money is the root of all evil.金钱是万恶之源
53、Union is strength.团结就是力量
54、Make hay while the sun shines.趁热打铁
55、Two can play the game.孤掌难鸣
56、Speak of the devil, and he appears.说魔鬼,魔鬼到
57、Bacchus hath drowned more men than Neptune.在酒里淹死的人比在海里淹死的人多
58、The pen is mightier than the sword.文力胜过武力
59、Even Homer nods.智者千虑,必有一失 60、Lies have short legs.谎言是站不住脚的 61、Every dog has its day.人人皆有得意出头日 62、Time and tide wait for no man.时不我待 63、Many drops of water will sink the ship.积羽沉舟 64、One single slip brings eternal regret.一失足成千古恨 65、Every lovers sees a thousand graces in the be loved object.情人眼里出美女
66、Step by step the ladder is ascended.千里之行始于足下 67、A work ill done must be done twice.工作没做好,就得重新搞 68、First come, first served.先到先招待 69、A snow year, a rich year.瑞雪兆丰年 70、Business is business.公事公办
71、Early to sleep and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.睡得早、起得早,聪明、富裕、身体好 72、Work while work;play while play.做归做,玩归玩 73、Lightly come, lightly go.来得容易去的快 74、Rich men feed, poor men breed.富人养,穷人生 75、Short pleasure, long lament.痛快一阵子,悲叹一辈子 76、A colt you may break, but a horse you never can.小驹可训,老马难教
77、Away goes the devil when he finds the door shut against him.门户紧闭,魔鬼退避
78、Youth looks forward, but age backward.青年展望未来,老年眷恋过去
79、Such master, such servant.有其主必有其仆 80、Like father, like son.有其父必有其子 英语俚语(Slang)
Slang : Very informal usage in vocabulary and idiom that is characteristically more metaphorical, playful, elliptical, vivid and ephemeral than ordinary language;speech or writing characterized by use of vulgar and socially taboo vocabulary and idiomatic expressions;the jargon of particular group/profession etc.argot, cant.1、Baby sitter 临时保姆
2、VIP 大人物
3、By hook or crook 不择手段地
4、Let it all hang out 把事实和真相和盘托出
5、Beef up 加强
6、Pep up 给„„鼓士气
7、Soap Opera 肥皂剧
8、电视:gogglebox/ the one-eye monster
9、电视出故障:It’s on the blink
10、香烟 cancer stick
11、逃学 cut class
12、手铐 bracelets 干活拖沓的人 clock watcher
13、死 to kick the bucket/ to turn it / to turn one’s toes up/ to turn one’s heels/ to be a goner/ to go up the flame
14、醉酒 soaked/ sozzled/ stoned
15、烂醉如泥 blitzed/ fuddled/ woody
16、钱 brass / lolly/ tin/ dash/ bees/ dough/ bread/ honey
17、亲昵的称呼 buddy/ mate/ my boy / old man /old /bean/ egg /fruit thing /top /my girl
18、亲昵的话语 Come along/my boy /cheer up /there is absolutely nothing to worry about
19、大话 bazoo 20、时髦派头,活力pizzazz
21、愚蠢的过失 flub
22、与妻子分居而未曾离居的丈夫 semi-detached
23、带上助听器的人 wired for sound
24、胡话,废话bs
25、酒吧女郎 B-girl
26、安培 amp
27、放大器 amplifier
28、流感 flu
29、流行音乐pop 30、卑鄙的 mingy
31、广播,电视剧中的幽默片段 sitcom
32、航空母舰 bird farm
33、减肥中心 fat farm
34、未正式结婚而独立赡养孩子的妇女 bachelor mother
35、傻瓜,笨蛋 dumdum
36、禁忌,禁例 no-no
37、极好的,一流的 Tiptop
38、老古板 fuddy-duddy
39、特别大而引人注目的,显著的 super-duper 40、大空袭 megablitz
41、高价 megacost
42、大出游 mega travel
43、颓废派 beatnik
44、和平主义者 peacenik
45、社会渣滓 no-goodnik
46、Wan to = wanna
47、I don’t know = I dunno
48、Going to=gonna
49、Am/is/are not ,have/has/ not =ain’t 50、Because = cos
51、摩天大楼 skyscraper
52、笨头笨脑 cabbage head
53、孤家寡人 cold fish
54、胡扯 banana oil
55、电视迷 couch potato
57、发现处于困境之中 to find oneself in the pickle
58、策划阴谋 to brew a plot
59、发生什么事情啦 What’s cooking 60、呕吐清洁袋 barf bags=discomfort contains 61、可卡因 California flakes 62、大麻 grass mainline
英语成对次词twin words / words in pair
1、milk and honey 富饶充足
2、Loaves and fishes 世俗利益 物质利益
3、Rant and rave 怒气冲冲的大谈特谈
4、Here and there 到处
5、Bill and coo 窃窃私语 互相接吻
6、Up and down 上下 来回 到处
7、Box and Cox 互相当值 轮流交替
8、Prunes and prisms 矫揉造作
9、Null and void 无效不再有约束力
10、Metes and bounds 边界 边界线
11、Aid and abet 同谋 伙同作案
12、Assault and battery 殴打 人身攻击
13、Iron and steel 钢铁
14、Man and wife 夫妇
15、One and the same 同一个 完全一样
16、Aches and pains 种种疼痛
17、Far and wide 广泛的
18、Watch and ward 监视 警卫
19、Kith and kin 熟悉的亲友 20、Often and often 经常
21、Ever and ever 永远
22、More and more 越来越多
23、Worse and worse 越来越差
24、Out and out 十足的 彻头彻尾的
25、In and in 同种繁殖近亲结婚
26、Game and game 各赢一次 打平
27、Through and through 彻头彻尾
28、Neck and neck 并驾齐驱 不分上下
29、Pro and con 正反两方
30、Back and forth 前后来回 来来往往
31、Right and left 左右
32、High and low 高低贵贱,到处
33、Up and down 上下 到处
34、Give and take平等交换
35、Behind bolt and bar 关在监狱里
36、Bow and arrow 弓箭
37、Knife and fork 刀叉
38、Bench and bar 法官和律师
39、Fur and feather 鸟兽 40、Flora and fauna 各种动植物
41、Flotsam and jetsam 流离失所的人 零碎的东西
42、Bed and board 夫妻关系
43、Bread and butter 生计
44、With main strength 竭尽全力
45、Grace and favour 恩惠
46、Cups and gold 金杯
47、Good and ready 准备就绪
48、Silks and satins 衣着华丽
49、Airs and graces 装腔作势 50、Aid and abet 同谋
51、Grunt and groan 抱怨
52、Rough and tough 强壮的粗野的
53、Meek and mild 温顺的,忍声吞气的
54、Back and edge 全力
55、Well and truly 确实低
56、As and when 当„„
57、Each and every 每个
58、Ever and above 在„„ 之上
59、Bad blood 愤怒的情感 60、Crocodile tears 假慈悲 61、Narrow escape 九死一生 62、The life and soul 活跃分子 63、Blue chip 热门股票 64、Top dog 优胜者
65、Smooth tongue 油嘴滑舌 66、Food dream 黄粱美梦
67、Zero hour 行动开始的准确时刻 68、Beat about the bush 拐弯抹角 69、Break the ice 打破沉默
70、Break something to light 披露某事 71、Come down to earth 脚踏实地 不再想入非非 72、Do one’s best 尽最大努力 73、Fall flat 完全失败
74、Go into a hot water 陷入困境 75、Give the game away 泄露内幕 76、Go native 入乡随俗
77、Hit the nail on the head 一针见血 78、Hold one’s ground 坚持己见 79、Lay down one’s arms 放下武器 80、Make a mountain out of a molehill 小题大做 81、Play the gallery 哗众取宠
82、Pour oil on troubled water平息** 83、Push the envelop 超越极限 84、Rock the boat 兴风作浪
85、Take the bull by the horns 不畏艰难 86、Turn the other cheek 忍气吞声 87、High on the hog 奢华 88、Black sheep 害群之马 89、Dark horse 黑马 90、White lie 谎言
91、Whole new ball game 新局势 92、Behind the scenes 在幕后 93、By the large 大体而言 94、In a breeze 轻而易举地 95、In the case of 就„„而言 96、In one’s birthday suit 一丝不挂 97、Beyond the pale 失宠 98、Off the record 私底下 99、On call 随叫随到 100、On the go 叫个不停 101、On the ball 表现机灵
102、Through thick and thin 不顾艰难险阻 103、Under the weather 身体欠佳 104、Out on a limb 身处险境 105、Under a cloud 受怀疑 106、Up to the hammer 第一流的 107、Go on 继续
108、Get along with 相处 109、Come off 成功
110、One another 互相 111、Two cents 自惭形秽
112、Three sheets in the wind 飘飘欲仙 113、Four corners 四面八方 114、Six to one 相差悬殊 115、Ten to one 十之八九
116、Sixty-four dollar question 最重要的问题
英语成语的翻译
1、cold war 冷战
2、Sour grape 酸葡萄
3、Trojian Horse 特洛伊木马
4、To shed crocodile tears 掉鳄鱼的眼泪
5、Keep one’s distance 保持一定的距离
6、Catch sb.In the act 当场捉住某人
7、Call a hault 停止 停战
8、Swim against the stream 逆流而行
9、Follow one’s footsteps 步人后尘
10、A rolling stone gathers no moss.滚石不生苔
11、Blood is thicker than water.血浓于水
12、Speech is the picture of the mind.言论是心灵的写照。
13、Love me, love my dogs.爱屋及乌。
14、To be on the thin ice.如履薄冰。
15、You can take a horse to the water, but you can’t make him drink.老牛不喝水,不要强按头。
16、Nothing comes wrong to a hungry man.饥不择食
17、In for a penny, in for a pound.一不做二不休
18、To fish in the troubled waters.浑水摸鱼
19、Take care of the pence and all the pounds will take of themselves.小事注意,大事自成。20、Like for like.恩报恩,仇报仇
21、Grasp all, lose all.样样都要,全数失掉。
22、To grow like mushrooms 雨后春笋
23、Against the grain 格格不入
24、Beat the air 白费力气
25、Keep one’s head above water 凑合着过日子
26、Throw one’s hat into the ring 提出挑战
27、A nice-day’wonder 昙花一现的事物
28、Carry coals to Newcastle 多此一举
29、Cast the first stone 率先批评或谴责 30、Loaves and fishes 个人私利
31、Cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth
32、Throw in the sponge 认输 投降
33、Curry favor 阿谀奉承
34、Be nuts on 善于,喜爱
35、After my own heart 合乎心意,志趣相投
量入为出
第五篇:英语成语典故
英语成语典故
源自希腊罗马神话传说的
1.An Apple of Discord争斗之源;不和之因;祸根
An Apple of Discord直译为“纠纷的苹果”,出自荷马史诗Iliad中的希腊神话故事
传说希腊阿耳戈英雄(Argonaut)珀琉斯(Peleus)和爱琴海海神涅柔斯的女儿西蒂斯(Thetis)在珀利翁山举行婚礼,大摆宴席。他们邀请了奥林匹斯上(Olympus)的诸神参加喜筵,不知是有意还是无心,惟独没有邀请掌管争执的女神厄里斯(Eris)。这位女神恼羞成怒,决定在这次喜筵上制造不和。于是,她不请自来,并悄悄在筵席上放了一个金苹果,上面镌刻着“属于最美者”几个字。天后赫拉(Hera),智慧女神雅典娜(Athena)、爱与美之神阿芙罗狄蒂(Aphrodite),都自以为最美,应得金苹果,获得“最美者”称号。她们争执不下,闹到众神之父宙斯(Zeus)那里,但宙斯碍于难言之隐,不愿偏袒任何一方,就要她们去找特洛伊的王子帕里斯(Paris)评判。三位女神为了获得金苹果,都各自私许帕里斯以某种好处:赫拉许给他以广袤国土和掌握富饶财宝的权利,雅典娜许以文武全才和胜利的荣誉,阿芙罗狄蒂则许他成为世界上最美艳女子的丈夫。年青的帕里斯在富贵、荣誉和美女之间选择了后者,便把金苹果判给爱与美之神。为此,赫拉和雅典娜怀恨帕里斯,连带也憎恨整个特洛伊人。后来阿芙罗狄蒂为了履行诺言,帮助帕里斯拐走了斯巴达国王墨涅俄斯的王后---绝世美女海伦(Helen),从而引起了历时10年的特洛伊战争。不和女神厄里斯丢下的那个苹果,不仅成了天上3位女神之间不和的根源,而且也成为了人间2个民族之间战争的起因。因此,在英语中产生了an apple of discord
这个成语,常用来比喻any subject of disagreement and contention;the root of the trouble;dispute等意义
这个成语最初为公元2世纪时的古罗马历史学家马克·朱里·尤斯丁(Marcus Juninus Justinus)所使用,后来广泛的流传到欧洲许多语言中去,成为了一个国际性成语。
eg: He throwing us an apple of discord,we soon quarrelled again.The dispute about inheriting estate formed an apple of discord between them.This problem seems to be an apple of discord between the Soviet union and the USA.2.The Heel of Achilles 亦作The Achilles' Heel唯一弱点;薄弱环节;要害 The Heel of Achilles直译是“阿基里斯的脚踵”,是个在欧洲广泛流行的国际性成语。它源自荷马史诗Iliad中的希腊神话故事。
阿基里斯是希腊联军里最英勇善战的骁将,也是荷马史诗Iliad里的主要人物之一。传说他是希腊密耳弥多涅斯人的国王珀琉斯和海神的女儿西蒂斯所生的儿子。阿基里斯瓜瓜坠地以后,母亲想使儿子健壮永生,把他放在火里锻炼,又捏着他的脚踵倒浸在冥河(Styx)圣水里浸泡。因此阿基里斯浑身象钢筋铁骨,刀枪不入,只有脚踵部位被母亲的手捏住,没有沾到冥河圣水,成为他的唯一要害。在特洛伊战争中,阿基里斯骁勇无敌,所向披靡,杀死了特洛伊主将,著名英雄赫克托耳(Hector),而特洛伊的任何武器都无法伤害他的身躯。后来,太阳神阿波罗(Apollo)把阿基里斯的弱点告诉了特洛伊王子帕里斯,阿基里斯终于被帕里斯诱到城门口,用暗箭射中他的脚踵,负伤而死。
因此,the heel of Achilles,也称the Achilles' heel,常用以表示a weak point in something that is otherwise without fault;the weakest spot等意思。
eg:The shortage of fortitude is his heel of Achilles.His Achilles' heel was his pride--he would get very angry if anyone criticized his work.3.Helen of Troy Helen of Troy 直译“特洛伊的海伦”,源自源自荷马史诗Iliad中的希腊神话故事。
Helen是希腊的绝世佳人,美艳无比,嫁给希腊南部邦城斯巴达国王墨涅俄斯(Menelaus)为妻。后来,特洛伊王子帕里斯奉命出事希腊,在斯巴达国王那里做客,他在爱与美之神阿芙罗狄蒂的帮助下,趁着墨涅俄斯外出之际,诱走海伦,还带走了很多财宝
此事激起了希腊各部族的公愤,墨涅俄斯发誓说,宁死也要夺回海轮,报仇雪恨。为此,在希腊各城邦英雄的赞助下,调集十万大军和1180条战船,组成了希腊联军,公推墨涅俄斯的哥哥阿枷门农(Agamemnon)为联军统帅,浩浩荡荡,跨海东征,攻打特洛伊城,企图用武力夺回海轮。双方大战10年,死伤无数,许多英雄战死在沙场。甚至连奥林匹斯山的众神也分成2个阵营,有些支持希腊人,有些帮助特洛伊人,彼此展开了一场持久的恶斗。最后希腊联军采用足智多谋的奥德修斯(Odusseus)的“木马计”,里应外合才攻陷了特洛伊。希腊人进城后,大肆杀戮,帕里斯王子也被杀死,特洛伊的妇女、儿童全部沦为奴隶。特洛伊城被掠夺一空,烧成了一片灰烬。战争结实后,希腊将士带着大量战利品回到希腊,墨涅俄斯抢回了美貌的海轮重返故土。这就是特洛伊战争的起因和结局。正是由于海轮,使特洛伊遭到毁灭的悲剧,真所谓“倾国倾城”,由此产生了Helen of Troy这个成语。
特洛伊战争的真实性,已为19世纪德国考古学家谢里曼在迈锡尼发掘和考证古代特洛伊古城废墟所证实。至于特洛伊城被毁的真正原因,虽然众说纷纭,但肯定决不是为了一个美女而爆发这场战争的,与其说是为了争夺海轮而打了起来,毋宁说是为了争夺该地区的商业霸权和抢劫财宝而引起战争的。所谓“特洛伊的海伦”,实质上是财富和商业霸权的化身。中国历史上也有过“妲己亡商”,“西
施沼吴”等传说,以及唐明皇因宠杨贵妃而招致“安史之乱”,吴三桂“冲冠一怒为红颜”等说法。汉语中有个“倾国倾城”的成语(语出《汉书·外戚传》:„一顾倾人城,再顾倾人国‟。)这里的“倾”字一语双光,既可指美艳非凡,令人倾倒;也可纸倾覆邦国。其含义与Helen of troy十分近似。
在现代英语中,Helen of Troy
这个成语,除了表示a beautiful girl or woman;a beauty who ruins her country等意义外,还可以用来表示a terrible disaster brought by sb or sth you like best的意思。eg:It is unfair that historians always attribute the fall of kingdoms to Helen of Troy.She didn't think of the beautiful umbrella bought the day before should become a Helen of Troy in her family.Because of this she and her husband quarreled for a long time.4.The Trojan Horse木马计;暗藏的危险;奸细
The Trojan Horse直译“特洛伊木马”,是个国际性成语,在世界各主要语言中都有。来自拉丁语equns Trojanus.这个成语甚至还进入到汉语词汇中,毛泽东同志在《矛盾论》中,谈到《水浒传》中宋江三打祝家庄时,就用了“木马计”这个典故。
这个成语出自荷马史诗《奥德赛》。希腊人和特洛伊人交战10年之久,胜负未决。最后,希腊著名的英雄奥德修斯(Odusseus)想出了一个木马计,用木头做了一匹巨马,放在特洛伊城外。全体希腊将士伪装撤退,乘船隐藏在附近的海湾里,而奥德修斯率领20名勇士事先藏进妈肚。特洛伊人误认为希腊人已经败退,大开城门,看到城外的巨大木马,以为这是希腊人敬神的礼物,就把它当作战利品拖进城来,大摆宴席,欢庆胜利。到了半夜,特洛伊人好梦正在酣,毫无戒备 的时候,藏在木马里的希腊英雄们都爬了出来,打开城门,发出信号,与附近海湾里返回的希腊大军里应外合,一举摧毁了特洛伊城。
因此,The Trojan Horse经过不断引用而成为一个广泛流传的成语,常用来比喻the hidden danger;the covert wreckers
(内奸);to engage in underhand activities等的意义。
eg:The superpowers are always sending the Trojan horses to many countries in the world.They are defeated only because of the Trojan horse in their country.5.Greek Gift(s)阴谋害人的礼物;黄鼠狼拜年,不安好心
Greek Gift(s)直译是“希腊人的礼物”,出自荷马史诗《奥德赛》以及古罗马杰出诗人维吉尔(Publius Virgilius Maro,公元前70-前19年)的史诗《伊尼特》(Aeneis)中关于特洛伊城陷落经过的叙述。
据《奥德赛》卷8记述:许多特洛伊人对如何处置希腊人留下的大木马展开了辩论,“他们有三种主张:有的主张用无情的铜矛刺透中空的木马;有的主张把它仍到岩石上;有的主张让它留在那里作为京观,来使天神喜悦”。结果是后一说占优势,把那匹木马拖进城里来,终于遭到了亡国之灾。
维吉尔的史诗《伊尼特》,写的是特洛伊被希腊攻陷后,王子伊尼斯从混乱中携家属出走,经由西西里、迦太基到达意大利,在各地漂泊流亡的情况。史诗第2卷便是伊尼斯关于特洛伊城陷落经过的叙述,其中情节除了模拟荷马史诗的描述外,还做了更详细的补充。当特洛伊人要把大木马拖进城的时候,祭司拉奥孔(Laocoon)劝说不要接受希腊人留下的东西。他说:“我怕希腊人,即使他们来送礼”这句话后来成了一句拉丁谚语:“Timeo Danaos,et dona ferenteso.“(原文的达奈人Danaos,即泛指希腊各部族人)译成英语就是:I fear the Greeks ,even when bringing gifts.其简化形式就是Greek Gifts.可
惜特洛伊人不听拉奥孔的警告,把木马作为战利品拖进城里。木马里藏着希腊的精锐部队,给特洛伊人带来了屠杀和灭亡。由此,Greek gift成为一个成语,表
示a gift with some sinister purposes of the enemy;one given with intent to harm;a gift sent inorder to murder sb等意思,按其形象意义,这个成语相当与英语的俚谚:When the fox preaches,take care of your geese;也与汉语“黄鼠狼给鸡拜年--不安好心”十分类似
eg:He is always buying you expensive clothes,I'm afraid they are Greek gifts for you.Comrades,be on guard against the Greek gifts!
6.A Penelope's Web亦作The Web of Penelope故意拖延的策略;永远做不完的工作
A Penelope's Web或The Web of Penelope,直译为“珀涅罗珀的织物”,典故出自荷马史诗《奥德赛》卷2。
这部史诗的主人公奥德修斯是希腊半岛西南边伊大卡岛(Ithaca)的国王,他有个美丽而忠诚的旗子,名叫珀涅罗珀。奥德修斯随希腊联军远征特洛伊,十年苦战结束后,希腊将士纷纷凯旋归国。惟独奥德修斯命运坎坷,归途中又在海上漂泊了10年,历尽无数艰险,并盛传他已葬身鱼腹,或者客死异域。正当他在外流浪的最后三年间,有一百多个来自各地的王孙公子,聚集在他家里,向他的妻子求婚。坚贞不渝的珀涅罗珀为了摆脱求婚者的纠缠,想出个缓宾之策,她宣称等她为公公织完一匹做寿衣的布料后,就改嫁给他们中的一个。于是,她白天织这匹布,夜晚又在火炬光下把它拆掉。就这样织了又拆,拆了又织,没完没了,拖延时间,等待丈夫归来。后来,奥德修斯终于回转家园,夫妻儿子合力把那些在他家里宴饮作乐,胡作非为的求婚者一个个杀死,终于夫妻团圆了。
由于这个故事,英语中的Penelope一词成了a chaste woman(贞妇)的同义词,并产生了with a penelope faith(坚贞不渝)这个短语。而A Penelope's Web
这个成语比喻
the tactics of delaying sth on purposel;the task that can never be finished的意思
eg:Mr Jones made a long speech at the meeting.Everyone else thought it a Penelope's web.My work is something like the Penelope's web,never done,but ever in hand.7.Swan Song最后杰作;绝笔
Swan Song字面译做“天鹅之歌”,源于希腊成语Kykneion asma.天鹅,我国古代叫鹄,是一种形状似鹅而体形较大的稀有珍禽,栖息于海滨湖畔,能游善飞,全身白色。因此,英语成语black swan,用以比喻稀有罕见的人或物,类似汉语成语“凤毛麟角”之意。
在古希腊神话中,阿波罗(Apollo)是太阳神、光明之神,由于他多才多艺,又是诗歌与音乐之神,后世奉他为文艺的保护神。天鹅是阿波罗的神鸟,故常用来比喻文艺。传说天鹅平素不唱歌,而在它死前,必引颈长鸣,高歌一曲,其歌声哀婉动听,感人肺腑。这是它一生中唯一的,也是最后的一次唱歌。因此,西方各国就用这个典故来比喻某诗人,作家,作曲家临终前的一部杰作,或者是某个演员,歌唱家的最后一次表演。即a last or farewell appearance;the last work before death之意;偶尔也可指某中最后残余的东西。
Swan Song是个古老的成语,源远流长。早在公元前6世纪的古希腊寓言作家伊索(Aisopos)的寓言故事中,就有“天鹅临死才唱歌”的说法。古罗马政治家、作家西塞罗(Cicero,公元前106-前43)在其《德斯肯伦别墅哲学谈》等论文中,就使用了“天鹅之歌”来比喻临死哀歌。在英国,乔叟,莎士比亚等伟大诗人、剧作家,都使用过这个成语典故。如:莎翁的著名悲剧《奥噻罗》(othello)中塑造 的爱米莉霞的形象,她在生死关头勇敢得站出来揭穿其丈夫的罪行。她临死时把自己比做天鹅,一生只唱最后一次歌。
eg:All the tickets have been sold for the singer's performance in London this week--the public clearly believes that this will be her swan song
The Tempest was W.Shakespeare's swan song in 1612
8.Win/Gain Laurels获得荣誉;赢得声望 Look to One's Laurels爱惜名声;保持记录 Rest on One's Laurels坐享清福;光吃老本
Laurel(月桂树)是一种可供观赏的常绿乔木,树叶互生,披针形或者长椭圆形,光滑发亮;花带黄色,伞形花序.laurels指用月桂树叶编成的”桂冠“.古代希腊人和罗马人用月桂树的树叶编成冠冕,献给杰出的诗人或体育竞技的优胜者,作为奖赏,以表尊崇.这种风尚渐渐传遍整个欧洲,于是laurels代表victory,success和distincion.欧洲人这种习俗源远流长,可上朔到古希腊神话.相传河神珀纳斯(Peneus)的女儿达佛涅(Daphne)长的风姿卓约,艳丽非凡.太阳神阿波罗为她的美所倾倒,热烈追求她,但达佛涅自有所爱,总是逃避权利很大的太阳神的追求.一天,他俩在河边相遇,达佛涅一见阿波罗,拔腿就跑,阿波罗在后边穷追不舍,达佛涅跑得疲乏不堪,情急之下只好请她父亲把她变成一株月桂树.阿波罗非常感伤,无限深情地表示:”愿你的枝叶四季长青,装饰我的头,装饰我的琴,让你成为最高荣誉的象征“.他小心得将这株月桂树移植到自己神庙旁边,朝夕相处,并取其枝叶遍成花冠戴在头上,以表示对达佛涅的倾慕和怀念.因此,古希腊人把月桂树看做是阿波罗的神木,称为”阿波罗的月桂树
“(The Laurel of Apollo).起先,他们用月桂枝叶编成冠冕,授予在祭祀太阳神的节目赛跑中的优胜者.后来在奥林匹亚(Olympia)举行的体育竞技中,他们用桂冠赠给竞技的优胜者.从此世代相传,后世欧洲人以”桂冠“作为光荣的称号.由于阿波罗是主管光明.青春.音乐和诗歌之神,欧洲人又把源自”阿波罗的月桂树“的桂冠,献给最有才华的诗人,称”桂冠诗人“.第一位著名的”桂冠诗人“就是欧洲文艺复兴时期人文主义的先驱者.意大利诗人彼特拉克(Francesco Petrarch,1304-1374).他的代表作<抒情诗集>,全部为14行诗体,系诗人献给他心中的女神劳拉的情诗(彼特拉克喜欢了劳拉一辈子,但是劳拉从来都不知道),抒发他对恋人的爱情,描写大自然的景色,渴望祖国的统一.这部被称为西方”诗三百'的诗集,虽不能与我国古代<诗经>相提并论,但不失为世界文学的瑰宝.中古时代英国的大学,也曾授予过“桂冠诗人”的称好,但是这只是一种荣誉称号,而非目前含义的类似职务,学衔的专用名称.作为专名的“桂冠诗人”(The Poet Laureate,也称The Laureate),系英国王室赐予御用诗人的专用称号,从17世纪英皇詹姆士一世(James I,1566-1625)开始,延续到现在,已历三个世纪了.凡获得“桂冠诗人”称号者,可领取宫廷津贴,每遇到王室喜庆或官方盛典时,都要写作应景诗以点缀和宣扬喜庆事件,歌功颂德,粉饰升平.17世纪,在英国被封为第一位“桂冠诗人”的是约翰·德莱顿(John Dryden,1631-1700),他一生为贵族写作,美化君主制度,不过他创造的“英语偶句诗体”,成为英国诗歌的主要形式之一.从1670到1972这三百年间,英国王室相继封了17位“桂冠诗人”年限最长的是19实际的浪漫诗人阿弗里德·丁尼生(Alfred Tennyson,1809-1892),他从1850年获得这个称号一直到逝世,长达42
年,算是“终身桂冠诗人”了.英国最近的“桂冠诗人”是约翰·本杰明(John Benjamin).其实,所谓“桂冠诗人”大部分是徒具虚名的,在英国文学史上享有盛名者极少;就象中国封建时代的“钦点状元”,从公元960到1904(清关绪30年最后一届科举止)近1000年,历代状元341名,在中国文学史上著名的寥寥无几.eg:Shakespeare won laurels in the dramatic world.The student gained laurels on the football field,as well as in his studies.Tom won the broad jump,but he had to look to his laurels Getting an A in chemistry almosst cause Mike to rest on his laurels 9.Under the Rose秘密地;私下得;暗中 Under the rose直译“在玫瑰花底下”,而实际上却表示in secret;privately confidentially的意义,语言外壳与内涵,似乎风马牛不相及.它源自古罗马的神话故事和欧洲的风尚.罗马神话中的小爱神丘比特(Cupid),也称希腊神话里的厄洛斯(Eros),在文艺作品中以背上长着双翼的小男孩的形象出现,常携带弓箭在天空中遨游,谁中了他的金箭就会产生爱情.丘比特是战神玛斯(Mars)和爱与美之神维纳斯(venus)所生的儿子.维纳斯,也就是希腊神话里的阿芙罗狄蒂(Aphrodite),传说她是从大海的泡沫里生出来,以美丽著称,从宙斯到奥林匹帕斯的诸神都为起美貌姿容所倾倒.有关她的恋爱传说很多,欧洲很多文艺作品常用维纳斯做题材.小爱神丘比特为了维护其母的声誉,给沉默之神哈伯克拉底(Harpocrates)送了一束玫瑰花,请他守口如瓶不要把维纳斯的风流韵事传播出去.哈伯克拉底受了玫瑰花就缄默不语了,成为名副其实的“沉默之神”
古罗马人对维纳斯非常尊崇,不仅奉为掌管人类的爱情.婚姻.生育的爱与美的神,而且尊为丰收女神.园艺女神.罗马的统治者恺撒大帝甚至追搠维纳斯是罗马人的祖先.由于上述神话传说,古罗马人把玫瑰花当作沉没或严守秘密的象征,并在日常生活中相尚成风.人们去串门做客,当看到主人家的桌子上方画有玫瑰,客人就了解在这桌上所谈的一切行为均不应外传.于是在语言中产生了Sub rosa在玫瑰花底下这个拉丁成语.据<牛津英语词典>解释,英语under the rose系源自德语unter der Rosen.古代德国的宴会厅.会议室以及旅店的餐室,在天花板上常画有或雕刻着玫瑰花,用来提醒在场者要守口如瓶,严守秘密,不要把玫瑰花底下的言行透露出去.这个流行于15至17世纪的德语成语反映了这种习俗.罗马帝国全盛时,其势力几乎席卷了整个欧洲,罗马某些文化风尚也随着他的军事力量渗透到欧洲各国.因此,以玫瑰花象征沉默的习俗,并不限于德国..under the rose 是个状语性成语,在句中修饰动词,其含义因所修饰的动词的不同而略有不同.如:born under the rose“私生的”“非婚生的”;do under the rose“暗中进行” eg:The senator told me under the rose that there is to be a chance in the cabinet.The matter was finally settled under the rose.Do what you like undeer the rose,but don't give a sign of what you're about...10.The Augean Stable(s)肮脏的地方;藏垢纳秽之所;积弊
The Augean Stable(s)直译“奥吉亚斯的牛圈”,源自古希腊神话中关于赫拉克
勒斯的英雄传说.奥吉亚斯(Augeas)是古希腊西部厄利斯(Elis)的国王。他有一个极大的牛圈,里面养了2000头年(一说3000匹马),30年来未清扫过,粪秽堆积如山,十分肮脏。因此,the Augean stable=very dirty place.古希腊神话中的英雄赫拉克勒斯(Heracles),亦称海格立斯(Hercules),是宙斯同底比斯国王之女阿尔克墨涅所生的儿子,自幼在名师的传授下,学会了各种武艺和技能,神勇无敌,成为遐迩闻名的大力士。他因受到心胸狭窄的天后赫拉的迫害,不得不替迈锡尼国王欧律斯透斯服役十几年。赫拉克勒斯拒绝了“恶德”女神要他走享乐道路的诱惑,而听从了“美德”女神的忠告,决心在逆境中不畏艰险,为民除害造福。他在十二年中完成了12项英勇业绩,其中之一就是在一天之内将奥吉亚斯的牛圈打扫干净。赫拉克勒斯先在牛圈的一端挖了深沟,引来附近的阿尔裴斯河和珀涅俄斯河的喝水灌入牛圈,而在另一端开一出口,使喝水流经牛圈,借用水利冲洗积粪。这样,他在一夜之间将30年没有打扫过的肮脏不堪的牛圈,打扫的干干净净。奥吉亚斯曾许诺事成之后把牛群的十分之一给赫拉克勒斯,作为劳动报酬,后来当他获悉赫拉克勒斯是奉欧律斯透斯之命来完成这项任务的,竟自食其果,于是被赫拉克勒斯杀死
这个神话传说反映了古代人民苦干加巧干的精神,体现了人类征服自然的力量和智慧。伟大的革命导师马克思、恩格斯、列宁、斯大林在他们的著作中,多次引用够这个典故。在马列主义经典中,这个成语有时译为“肮脏的马厩”,有时译为“奥吉亚斯的牛圈”。在这里,stable除了泛指地点外,还可代表某些不良的制度,下流的习俗和恶劣的作风等等。由此,人们用the Augean stable这个成语来比喻非常的地方或长期形成的积弊。它常比to clean,to cleanse,to reform等动词连用,表示to bring about a drastic reform in some public evil的意思
eg:how to clean the Augean stables of this city remains a critical problem.Although they know it is not easy to reform the Augean stables of ths sociey,they are still trying to do it.11.A Procrustean Bed A Procrustean Bed直译是“普洛克路斯贰斯的床”,源自古希腊神话的典故。
在雅典国家奠基者(Theseus)的传说中,从墨加拉到雅典途中有个非常残暴的强盗,叫达玛斯贰斯,绰号普洛克路斯贰斯。希腊问Procrustes的意思是“拉长者”、“暴虐者”。据公元前1世纪古希腊历史学家狄奥多(Diodoros,约公元前80-前29年)所编《历史丛书》记述:普洛克路斯贰斯开设黑店,拦截过路行人。他特意设置了2张铁床,一长一短,强迫旅店躺在铁床上,身矮者睡长床,强拉其躯体使与床齐;身高者睡短床,他用利斧把旅客伸出来的腿脚截短。由于他这种特殊的残暴方式,人称之为“铁床匪”。后来,希腊著名英雄提修斯在前往雅典寻父途中,遇上了“铁床匪”,击败了这个拦路大盗。提修斯以其人之道还治其人之身,强令身体魁梧的普洛克路斯贰斯躺在短床上,一刀砍掉“铁床匪”伸出床外的下半肢,除了这一祸害。
由此,在英语中遗留下来a Procrustean bed这个成语,亦做the Procrustes' bed
或
the bed of Procrustes,常
用
以
表
示an arrangement or plan that produces uniformity by violent and arbitrary measures之意。按其形象意义,这个成语与汉语成语“削足适履”、“截趾穿鞋”颇相同;也类似俗语“使穿小鞋”、“强求一律”的说法
eg:I didn't put forth the plan as a Procrustean bed,to which exact conformity is to be indispensable.Don't stretch the facts to fit the Procrustean bed.12.A Gordian Knot难解的结;难题;难点 A Gordian Knot直译“戈耳迪之结”。
戈耳迪(Gordius)是小亚细亚佛律基亚(Phrygia)的国王,传说他原先是个贫苦的农民。一天,他在耕地的时候,有只神鹰从天而且降,落在他马车的轭上,久不飞走。戈耳迪就赶着马车进城去请求神示。其时,佛律基亚的老王突然去世,一国无主,上下**不安,于是人们请求神示由谁来做国王。神示说:“在通向宙斯神庙的大陆上,你们遇到的第一个乘马车者就是新王。”恰好这时戈耳迪正乘着牛车前往宙斯的神庙,人们看见巍然屹立在车轭上的神鹰,认为这是掌握政权的象征,就一致拥戴戈耳迪为国王。戈耳迪当了国王后,就把那辆象征命运的马车献给宙斯,放置在婶庙中。他用绳索打了个非常复杂的死结,把车轭牢牢得系在车辕上,谁也无法解开。由此,人
们
常
用
a Gordian knot
比
喻a knot difficult or impossibe to unite;the difficult problem or task.eg:We must try to solve the problem even if it is really a Gordian knot.The knot which you thought a Gordian one will untie it before you.13.Cut the Gordian Knot Cut the Gordian Knot直译“斩断戈耳迪之结”,源自上篇的同一典故。佛律基亚(Phrygia)的国王戈耳迪,用乱结把轭系在他原来使用过的马车的辕上,其结牢固难解,神谕凡能解开此结者,便是亚洲之君主。好几个世纪过去了,没有人能解开这个结。公元前3世纪时,古希腊罗马的马其顿国王亚历山大大帝(Alexander the Great,公元前356-323),在成为希腊各城邦的霸主后,大举远征东方。公元前334年,他率领进入小亚细亚,经过佛律基亚时,看到这辆马车。有人把往年的神谕告诉他,他也无法解开这个结。为了鼓舞士气,亚历山大拔出利剑一挥,斩断了这个复杂的乱结,并说:“我就是这样解开的”因此,to cut the Gordian knot
就
是
意
味
着to solve a complicated difficulty by quick and drastic action;to end a diffi
culty by using a vigorous or violent method;to solve a problem by force.按其形象意义,这个成语与汉语成语“快刀斩乱麻”,“大刀阔斧,果断处置”十分相似。
eg:They have decided to cut the Gordian knot to wipe out the enemy at a blow.Jean is afraid of everything,How can she cut the Gordian knot in her work?
源自圣经文学的成语典故
14.Bone of The Bone and Flesh of the Flesh Bone of The Bone and Flesh of the Flesh直译“骨中之骨,肉中之肉”,出自<圣经>中关于上帝造人的神话.据<旧约·创世纪>第2章叙述:太初之际,混沌未开,耶和华上帝开天辟地.第一天耶和华创造了白天和夜晚;第二天创造了天空和风云;第三天创造了高山峻岭.平原河流,以及富饶的土地和芳香的花果;第四天他又创造了太阳.月亮和星辰,确定年岁.季节.月份和日期;第五天他创造了各种形状和大小的鱼类和飞禽;第六天他才创造了各种陆上动物,然后他按照自己的形象用地上的尘土造出一个男人,名叫亚当(Adam),这就是神话中人类的始祖.后来,耶和华见押当独居无伴侣帮助他,于是,趁亚当沉睡的时候,从他身上取下一根肋骨造成了一个女人叫夏娃(Eve),领到他面前,亚当说:“This is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh”(这是我骨中之骨,肉中之肉)。从此两人结为夫妻
Bone of The Bone and Flesh of the Flesh常用来比喻血缘上的亲属关系或思想上的团结一致,即as close as flesh and blood;to be inseperately linked t
o each other等的意思。
eg:Our army is bone of the bone and flesh of the flesh of the people.The I.W.W was bone of the bone and flesh of the flesh of the floating workers.(W.Foster:Pages from a Worker's Life.)15.Adam's Apple喉结
亚当是圣经中人类的始祖,而苹果的历史比人类的历史还悠久。在世界各文明古国的民间故事和神话传说中,苹果都是受人喜爱的一种果实。英语中有个谚语:An apple a day keeps the doctor away.但据圣经故事上说,苹果也给人类带来了麻烦,男人的喉结就是因吃苹果引起的。
《旧约.创世纪》第3章讲到人类的起源,传说上帝创造人类的始祖亚当和夏娃,在东方的伊甸(Eden)建立了一个园子给他们居住。伊甸园里生长着悦人眼目的各种树木,树上长着各种各样的果实。上帝吩咐亚当说:你可以随意吃园中的各种果子,只是不能吃那棵分别善恶树上的果实,吃了必定要死。这种“禁果”就是apple。后来,亚当的配偶夏娃听信蛇的诱惑,不顾神谕,吃了善恶树上的禁果,还把这果子给它丈夫吃。亚当因心怀恐惧,吃时仓促,有一片果肉哽在吼中,不上不下,留下个结块,就叫“亚当的苹果”两人吃了这果子就心明眼亮,能知善恶美丑。但是由于他们违背了上帝的告戒而被逐出伊甸园。从此,亚当就永远在脖子前端留下“喉结”,作为偷吃禁果的“罪证”。上帝还惩罚亚当,“必汗流满面才能糊口”
不过也说一说是正当亚当吃的时候,上帝来了,所以亚当急忙吞下去,不料哽在喉咙间了。
eg:Your Adam's apple isn't apparent.Adam's apple can be more clearly seen on men than women's throats.16.Sell One's Birthright for a Mess of Pottages因小失大;见利弃义
Sell One's Birthright for a Mess of Pottages直译是:“为了一碗红豆汤而出卖了长子继承权”。
《旧约.创世纪》第25章记述了这样一个故事传说:犹太族长以撒的妻子利百加怀孕期间,感觉到2个胎儿在她腹内互相踢打,就去问耶和华,耶和华对她说:“两国在你腹内,两族要从你身上出来,这族必强于那族,将来大的要服小的。”
后来,利百加果然生下一对孪生兄弟,哥哥叫以扫,弟弟叫雅各。两兄弟长大后,以扫好动,常外出打猎;雅各则常在家里帮助料理家务。有一天,以扫打猎回来,又饥又渴,看见弟弟雅各在熬豆汤,就对他说:“我饿极了,给我喝点红豆汤吧!”雅各说:“你要喝汤,就把你的长子权卖给我。”以扫说:“你都要饿死了,要这长子权有什么用呢?”于是,他便按雅各的要求,对天起誓,把长子权卖给雅各,换来饼和红豆汤。以扫吃饱喝足后,起身走了。他哪里想到,为了这碗红豆汤,他的后裔便注定要服事雅各的后裔。
由此,人们用to sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage短语,来比喻to exchange something of lasting value for something that is of value for a short time only;to suffer a big loss for a little gain.这个成语常缩略为for a mess of pottage的形式。有时也可用to sell one's birthrights.eg:It was argued that joining the Common Market...would be giving away her national rights and advantages for a mess of pottage.There are many,many people who are willing to prostitute their intelligence for a mess of pottage.17.The Apple of Ones' Eye The Apple of Ones' Eye的字面意思是“某人眼里的苹果”,在这里,apple指 的是the pupil(瞳孔,眼珠),大概因眼珠圆的象苹果之故。瞳孔是眼睛最重要的部分,失去瞳孔,光线就无法通过虹膜中心的圆孔进入眼内而变成了瞎子。所以,这个成语常用来比喻象爱护眼珠一样爱护某个最心爱的人或珍贵的东西,即表示a cherished person or object;sth extrmely precious to one;sb dearly loved等意
这个成语来字《旧约。申命记》(Deuteronomy)第32章“耶和华遇见他在旷野荒凉、野兽吼叫之地,就环绕他,看顾他,保护他如同保护眼里的瞳人。”在圣经其他地方也有类似的话。英文版《旧约。诗篇》(Psalm)第17章有这样的句
子
:“Keep me as the apple of the eye,hide me under the shadow of the wings” 成语the apple of one's eye
是固定结构,不得写成the apple of the eye of…的形式;在搭配上,它常与动词be,keep,care for等连用。按其想象意义,它与汉语成语“掌上明珠”颇相似,但其比喻的对象较汉语“掌珠”更广,因“掌珠”通常指心爱的女儿,而不能用与其他场合。
eg:Little Mary is the apple of her father's eye Mind the reputation of your school as you care for the apple of your eye.18.The writing/Finger on the Wall不详之兆;大祸临头
这个成语的字面意思是“墙上的文字(或手指)”,而实际含义是a sign or warning of impending disaster(迫在眉睫的凶兆);a sign that sth bad will happen;a feeling that ones number is up;等等。其语言外壳与内涵是怎样联系起来的呢?还是出自《圣经》
据《旧约。但以理书》(Daniel)第5章记述:有一次古巴比伦(Babylonian)的国王伯沙撒(Belshazar)正在宫殿里设宴纵饮时,突然,不知从哪里出现了一个神秘的手指,当者国王的面,在王宫与灯台相对的粉墙上写西了四个奇怪的单词:MENE(弥尼)、MENE(弥尼)、TEKEL(提客勒)、UPHARSING(乌法珥新)。国王张皇失措,惊恐万分,谁也不懂墙上所写的字是什么意思。后来叫来了被虏的犹太预言家但以理,才明白了这几个字的意思就是大难临头。他说:“弥尼就是上帝已经数算你国的年日到此为完毕;提客勒就是你被称在天平里显出你的亏欠;乌法珥新就是你的国分裂,归与玛代人和波斯人。”果然,当夜伯沙撒被杀,又62岁的玛代人大利乌取而代之。
依次,“墙上的文字(或手指)”就表示身死国亡的凶兆。英语中这个成语有几种表达方式:the writing/handwriting on the wall或a finger on the wall,通常与be,like等系动词连用;有时写成see/read the writing on he wall的句型,表示提出警告,such as :Don't you see the writing on the wall, 有时候也可省略on the wall,只说Don't you see the writing?意思也是一样的。
eg:This inexplicable incident seemed,like the Babylonian finger on the wall,to be spelling out the letter of my judgement...In this house of his there was writing on every wall.His business-like temperament protested against a mysterious warning that she was not made for him.John's emplyer had less and less work for him;John could read the writing on the wall.The writing on the wall is clear:if man behaves like an animal and allow hs population to increase while each nation steadily increases he coplexity and range of its environment,nature will take her course and the law of th
e Jungle will prevail.When Bill's team lost four games in a row,he saw the handwriting on the wall.19.The Salt of the Earth社会中坚;民族精华;优秀份子
The Salt of the Earth这个成语,字面意思“世上的盐”
盐是饮食中不可缺少的调味品,人体若缺盐,健康就会受到影响,出现种种疾病。盐还有杀菌、解毒、消炎、除污等多种功用,它既是“百药之王”,又是工业之母,确是值得珍视的东西。在许多民族的习俗汇总,盐被当作敬客的高贵礼品。
The Salt of the Earth一词出自《圣经》,据《新约。马太福音》(Matthew)第5长记
载
:
耶
稣
对
他的门
徒说:“Ye are the salt of the earth:but if the salt have lost his savor,wherewith shall it be salted? ” 在这里,salt用于转义,表示flavor;of the earth即of the world。这是耶稣登山垂训论“福”,所讲福音结尾的话,他把门徒比做“世上的盐”,这是极高的称赞。这句话在后世不断引用变成了一个典故性成语,转
义
为the most valuable members of sociey;the finest type of humanity;a person or a group of people having the best character 之意
eg: He does a lot of good jobs and is considered to be the salt of the world.You all are the salt of the earth.Our hope is placed on you.20.Not an iota of没有一点点,丝毫也不
iota是希腊字母表中第9个字母“I”的名称。not an iota of 出自《新约。马太福音》第5章:“律法的一点一画都不能废去,都要成全。”因为iota是希腊字母表中最小的一个字母,它有时可以写作一短横置于其他字母之上;遗漏这一点点对发音并无什么影响,只按规则不能减少而已。《福音书》所说的律法,系指“摩西律”,意即无论何人都不允许随便废去这戒律哪怕是最小的一条,甚至其中的一个字母,一个小小短横也不得更动或遗漏。
由此,在语言中遗留下来这个成语,转义表示not a bit of;not one jot or little;not at all等意思。iota在这里,相当于汉语“小不点儿”的意思。
Eg:Science deals with things in a practical way.Science means honest,solid knowledge,allowing not an iota of falsehood,and it involves herculean efforts and gruelling toil.There is not an iota of truth in the story.21.Cast pearls before swine对牛弹琴;白费好意
To Cast pearls before swine的意思是“珍珠头在猪猡前面”。swine是个旧词,书面词,即今为pigs,不过swine单复同行,本句为复数。这个成语源自《新约。马太福音》第7章:“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs,neither cast ye your pearls before swine,lest they trample them under their feet,and turn again and rend you”.由于to cast pearls efore swine,比喻确切,在后世不断引用中而成为一个国际
性
成语,常
用
来
表
示to offer sth valuable or beautiful to those who can't appreciate it;to give what is precious to those who are unable to understand its value等意思,含有轻蔑嘲笑色彩。按其字面意义,这个成语与汉语成语“明珠按投”相似,但是
寓意不同,基本上不对应;按一比喻意义,它相当于“对牛弹琴”,“向驴说经”“一番好意给狗吃”“狗咬吕洞宾,不识好人心”等。
She read them Shakespeare,but it was casting pearls before swine I won't waste good advice on John any more because he never listens to it.I won't cast pearls before swine....and when I let the upper floor to Cap'en Cuttle,oh i do a thankless thing,and cast pearls before swine
22.a wolf in sheep's clothing批着羊皮的狼;貌善心恶的人
耶稣在加利利一带传道布教,收了很多信徒。有一天,他对门徒说:“Beware of false prophets,which come to you in sheep's clothing,but inwardly they are ravening wolves” eg:Mrs.Martin trusted the lawyer until she realized that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing One who teaches morality and practises immorality is a wolf in lamb's skine
23.separate the sheep from the goats区别好坏,分清良莠
《新约。马太福音》记述:“And before him shall be gathered all nations:and he shall separate them one from another,as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats”
由于《圣经》的影响,sheep和goat在英语中的形象截然不同,前者比喻好人,后者比喻坏人。英语中有关goat的成语,大多贬义。如:to play the goa
t=play the fool(瞎胡闹);to get sb's goat(触动肝火);等等。《圣经》说牧羊人要分辨绵羊和山羊,“把绵羊安置右边,山羊左边”。据说野山羊常混进羊群里,引诱绵羊,故牧养人必须把它们区分开来,以免混淆。
由此,人们用to separate the sheep from the goats这个成语,来比喻to separate the good from the wicked;to divide good or useful people from bad or useless eg:We'll go through the list of members,and separate the sheep from the goats Have faith in me,please.I can separate the sheep from the goats
源自欧洲寓言名著的
24.a dog in the manger占着茅坑不拉屎的人
出自《伊索寓言》(Aesop's Fables),有一篇狗站马槽的故事,说的是一头狗躺在堆满稻草的马槽里,狗是不吃草的动物,而当马或牛一走进稻草时,这头狗却朝着马,牛狂哮,不准食草动物享用。因此,“狗站马槽”就成了一个家喻户晓的成语而进入英语中,常用来比喻a person who prevents others from enjoying sth that is useless to himself;a churlish fellow who will neither use a thing himself nor let others use it,讽刺那些占据说职位或某些物质却不做事的人。
a dog in the manger是个名词性短语,常与系动词连用,充当表语(主语补足语)
eg:He borrowed a lot of books from the library,but he didn't read a book.He was really a dog in the manger.There are some officials who are only the dogs in the manger.Smith was a dog in the manger over that roll of wire;it was no use whatever to him,but he wouldn't let us have it.25.bell the cat自告奋勇去冒险;老虎头上拍苍蝇
bell the cat系成语to hang the bell about the cat's neck的简略,愿意是“给猫的脖子上挂铃”。它来自《伊索寓言》(Aesop's Fables)中的《老鼠会议》(The Mice in Council)这篇寓言讲的是:一群老鼠在鼠洞里举行会议,讨论如何对付凶狠的猫。白胡须老鼠提出:“我有个方法,在猫的脖子上挂一个铃。这样,猫一走动铃就响,我们就可以闻铃声而逃避了”,群鼠一致同意这个建议,欢呼:“That's a capital idea.We will bell the cat!No more fear of the cat!”但是,谁去给猫挂铃铛呢?没有一只老鼠敢去,一个个都溜掉了。老鼠会议豪无结果,它们不安全的境况当然也无法改善。
寓言所寄托的意思很明白:遇到困难的问题时候,既需要有出谋献策的人,更需要有挺身而出的实干家。bell the cat
常
用
来
比
喻to do sth dangerous in order to save others;to step forwar bravely to face the danger;to take a risk for the good of others.eg:Everybody made suggestion,but no one actually offered to bell the cat.We didn't know who would put him this delicate question when my friend offered to bell the cat.26.cry wolf虚发警报;慌报险情;危言耸听
cry wolf来自《伊索寓言》:《牧童和狼》(The Shepherdboy and the wolf)
有个牧童在离村子不远的山坡上放羊,有一次,他为了开心作乐,突然大喊:“Help!Help!The wolf!”全村的人都闻声跑来援助他时,才知道这只是开玩笑。如此恶作剧搞了两三次。后来,狼真的来了,那个牧童再呼号求救时,谁也不理会他了。于是,狼把他的羊吃了。
这篇寓言的意义很清楚:爱说谎话的人,即或在他说真话时,也没人相信他。由此,人们用to cry wolf 来概括这篇寓言的基本情节及其教诫意义,用以比喻to give false alarms;to warn of danger where there is none之意。按其比喻意义,这个成语相当与汉语中出自《东周列国志》的典故:烽火戏诸侯。周幽王为博得宠妃褒泥一笑,竟然把军国大事当儿戏,烽火报警戏诸侯,使各路诸侯仓促发兵,驰援京师,结果收到嘲笑。后来犬戎进犯,幽王再举烽火调兵,谁也不来了,结果周幽王遭到杀身亡国之祸。这2个典故的情节虽不同,寓意却完全不一致,都是表示“一朝说假话,一世无人信”
eg:Nobody will believe he is in trouble because he has cried wolf so many times.Is she really sick of is she just crying wolf? The newspaper placards that had cried “wolf” so often,cried “wolf” now in vain.27.Fish in Troubled Waters浑水摸鱼;趁火打劫;陷于混乱
Fish in Troubled Waters直译是:“浑水里捕鱼”,出自《伊索寓言·渔夫》
这篇寓言江的是:有个渔夫在河里张网捕鱼,他把鱼网横栏在河道里,然后拿了一条缚着石块的绳子,不停的拍击河水,使泥沙泛起,河水浑浊,鱼儿在慌乱中纷纷自投罗网,渔夫用这个方法捕得了好多鱼。但住在附近的人指责渔夫说:“我们饮水全靠这条河,你把水搞得这么浑,叫我们到哪里去找清水饮用呢?”渔
夫回答说:“可是,我若不把水搞浑,那就非饿死不可了” 因此,人
们
常
用
to fish in trouble waters
比
喻to try to win advantages for oneself from a disturbed state of affairs;to make use of sb's misfortune to serve one's own ends.并因此产生了谚语it‟s good fishing in troubled waters(混水好摸鱼)。在英语中,to fish in troubled waters
也
可
写
成to fish in the muddy waters,而且water必须做waters。
eg:The man who interferes in South American politics is fishing in troubled waters I refused to let them come here because i knew they only wanted to fish in troubled waters Those who made large profits out of illegally selling rationed goods during World War II were fishing in troubled waters.28.cat's paw 被他人利用的人;受人愚弄者
cat's paw 也坐cat's-paw或catspaw,字面意思“猫爪子”,出典17世纪法国著名的寓言作家拉·封丹的《猴子与猫》。讲的是狡猾的猴子哄骗头脑简单的猫儿,替它从炉火中取出烤熟的栗子来。猫儿应命去做,结果猫爪子被火烧伤了,而取出的栗子却被猴子吃光了。
追根嗍源,远在公元前3世纪的《伊索寓言》中就有这个故事,不过没有题目。cat's paw
常
用
来
比
喻a person used as a tool by another;one who is used merely for the conveni
ence of a cleverer or stronger person之意。按其内涵,这个成语与汉语成语“为虎作伥”所比喻的意义相似,仅是动物的形象不同
cat's paw除了单独做复合名词使用外,还构成to make a cat's paw of sb(利用某人做为工具或爪牙)
eg:It is easy for him to be used as a cat's paw of evil-doing.I am afraid that he is making a cat's paw of you.29.Pull the chestnuts out of the fire火中取栗;替别人冒险
Pull the chestnuts out of the fire来自法国著名的寓言作家拉·封丹的《猴子与猫》。
cat's paw与Pull the chestnuts out of the fire是同源成语,但两个成语无论在结构上或意义上都不相同,前者比喻充当别人的工具或爪牙,后者常用来表示to do sth dangerous for others的意思。
这个成语也作to pull sb's chestnuts,或者to put the chestnuts for sb.eg:I had pulled the chestnuts out of the fire for him on several occasions and was unwilling to do it again.They are pulling chestnuts out of the fire for the imperialists without knowing it You can't make me your catspaw to pull your chestnuts out of the fire...30.attic salt优雅的俏皮话;妙语
attic salt的字面意思是“阿提卡的盐”。阿提卡洲(attica)是希腊东南部的一个州,其首府是雅典。阿提卡州是个半岛,工商业发达,特别盛产海盐,相传,阿
提卡州的盐比希腊其他地方出产的盐精细有味,深受欢迎。阿提卡人机智风趣,善于说俏皮话,以幽雅的诙谐著称于世。
这个成语出自古罗马著名的作家和演说家西塞罗(Marcus Tullius Cicero,公元前106-前43)。他的论文和演讲词,都是文体和标准拉丁语的典范,在其作品中论述了古希腊人精心研究的雄辩术理论,特别提到以口齿锋利著称的阿提卡人。公元前55年,西塞罗以文艺对话形式写的主要著作《辩论》(De oratore),探讨了演讲艺术中的诙谐问题。他说,妙语应当含有“盐味”,象“阿提卡的盐”那样有味。
在现在英语中,salt一词含有“风趣”,“兴味”等转义。成语attic salt常用来表示poignant delicate wit;wit of a refined quality。因此也可写attic wit.eg: Yesterday Mrs Williams gave a talk to the Women's Institute on her travels in Asia.It was full of Attic Salt.A talk full of attic salt is worth listening to.They are in the habit of speaking with attic wit.32.one's pound of flesh残酷榨取;割肉还债
相信大家都看过莎士比亚的《威尼斯商人》。这里就不加以介绍。one's pound of flesh比喻to insist cruelly on repayment of what was borrowed,常用在have,demand,exact,want,ask for 等之后。
eg:If you borrow from the scoundredl,you may be sure he'll demand hhis pound of flesh.Their boss pays the highest wages,but he wants his pound of flesh in return and makes them work very hard.33.john bull(s)约翰牛;英国佬
“约翰牛”是英国人的绰号,意义是english nation,the typical englishmen.这个雅号是英国人自己取的,出自16世纪英国著名作家兼宫廷御医约翰·阿布斯诺特(John Arbuthnot,1667--1735)的政治讽刺作品。
阿布斯诺特在1712年写了一本讽刺小说,名叫《约翰牛的生平》(The History of John Bull),该书的主人公约翰牛就是英国的人格化、形象化。
作者笔下的约翰牛,是个英国“自由民”,为人粗暴冷酷,桀骜不逊,颇有些牛劲。他盛气凌人、欺辱弱者,如果谁流露出对他稍微表示不满的反抗情绪,他立即摆出一副格斗的架势。作者通过这个赳赳武夫的形象,暗喻当年英国的专横跋扈,抨击“民权党”(英国自由党的前身)的好战策略。显然,这个绰号最初含贬斥色彩。
这个形象的出现,绝非作者凭空捏造,而是与当时英国的社会经济状况紧密相连。在英国资产阶级革命胜利后的17世纪,英国毛纺工业迅速发展,资本的原始积累不断扩大,资产阶级政权对内实行“圈地运动“,对外实行殖民地的掠夺政策,以便积累大量的工业资本。“约翰牛”的形象正是这个时期英国的体现这。John Bull这个颇古的典故成语,19世纪 的著名作家狄更斯(Charles Dickens,1812--1870)就曾引用过。随着时间的推移,“约翰牛”的形象发生了耐人寻味的变化,由最初那个身强力壮、满脸横肉的中年船长想象,变成了一个年过半百、五短身材的矮胖子。于是漫画上出现的”约翰牛“,是个头戴宽边礼帽,足蹬翻口皮鞋,身穿茄克衫的绅士摸样。当年那种杀气滕滕的气概收敛不少,其原来的贬义似乎变成了褒义。”约翰牛“逐渐变成了一位饱经事故的实干家形象,他的行为成了英国的人的标准行为。这样一来,john bull这个成语就成了英国人或者英国的代名词了;而与之相关的john bullism 就指”英国精神“”英国习气“或”英国的典型性格“,john bullist则常指”英国迷“
eg:By some he is called...“a thoroughbred englishman”,by some,“a genuin
e john bull”...John bulls belong to the white race.34.Grin like a cheshire cat咧嘴傻笑;露齿嬉笑
Grin like a cheshire cat字面意思是“象柴郡猫那样咧开嘴笑”,这个成语也可写成 to wear/have a grin like a Cheshire cat,或to smile like a Cheshire cat。关于这个成语有2种说法
Cheshire是英格兰西部的一郡,当地出产一种颇有特色的干酪,叫“柴郡干酪”(Cheshire cheese),曾经一度作成象笑脸猫的形状。另一种说法是:柴郡有位画家,他给当地旅馆绘画的招牌上,都画了一只咧着嘴笑的狮子。
艾里克·帕特里奇先生(Mr.Eric Partridge)认为,这个成语大约从1770年开始就作为贬义词使用。英国《朗曼英国成语词典》等辞书,认为这个成语源自维多利亚女王时代(1835--1901),英国数学家和童话作家刘易斯·卡洛尔(Lewis Carroll,1832--1898)在他所写的童话《阿丽思漫游奇境记》(Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)中详细的描述了公爵夫人家中的一只柴郡猫。《阿丽思漫游奇境记》第6章有段这样的对话:
“Please,would you tell me,”said Alice a little limidly...“why your cat grins like that?”
“It's a Cheshire cat,”said the Duchess,“and that's why.”
卡洛尔的童话,通过虚幻离奇的情节,嘲讽了19世纪后半期英国的社会现象。《阿丽思漫游奇境记》在1865年7月问世后,轰动了全英国。作者由此一举成名。“柴郡猫”的生动想象,是否他所创造,有待于进一步考证,但to grin like a Cheshire cat是随着该书的风行而被广泛使用,应无疑义。根据书中的描述,这个成语常用来表示to grin broadly,showing great amusement;to laugh at
nothing that is amusing;to smile widely,in such a way that on shows all one's teeth.eg:Poor little Hans only grinned like a Cheshire cat when he was scolded.Mamma is smiling with all her might.In fact Mr.Newcome says...“that woman grins like a Cheshire cat.”Who was the naturalist of the cats in Cheshire?
It is no good smiling at me like a Cheshire cat,Mr.Lubin.35.A storm in a Teacup杯水**;小题大做;大惊小怪
A storm in a Teacup字面意思“茶杯里的风暴”;美国英语为“a tempest in a teapot/barrel”,也作tea-pot tempest.A storm in a Teacup出自法国著名作家巴尔扎克(Honore de Balzac,1799-1850)记述,这句话出自18世纪法国哲学家和思想家孟德斯鸠的名言。有一次,他听说圣马力诺发生了政治**,就用“茶杯里的风暴”来评论。因为圣马力诺是欧洲最小的共和国,只有一万人口,孟德斯鸠认为那里的**对整个欧洲局势无足轻重。
探源搠流,远在公元前古希腊了罗马的名人著作中就有过类似的形象比喻。如古罗马著名作家和演说家西塞罗(Cicero)在其著作《论法律》中就有这样的话:excitare fluctus in simpulo,意即to stir up waves in a ladle。此外,还有a storm in a cream-bowl;a storm in a wash-hand basin等说法。尽管它们比喻的形象不同,但都是用来表示much excitement about something trivial;a lot of fuss about a trifle之意。按其比喻意义,相当与“小题大做”大惊小怪。
The people next door are continually quarreling ,but it is usually a storm in a teacup.What is it all about?Nothing serious,just a tempest in a teapot.36.a tower of ivory 或an ivory tower象牙之塔;世外桃源
a tower of ivory常用来比喻一种与世隔绝的梦幻境地,即the place of seclusion or retreat from realisties of life.She lives in a tower of ivory apart from her friends.They view college as an ivory tower.37.have an axe to grind别有用心;另有企图;怀有私心
have an axe to grind是个源自美国的成语,字面意思是“让斧头磨一磨”,寓意是to have private interests to serve;to have sth to gain for oneself;to have a selfish reason等之意。
据英国《朗曼英国成语词典》等记述。这个成语出自美国著名的政治家、科学家本杰明·富兰克林(Benjamin Franklin,1706--1790)所写的一则故事。富兰克林幼年时,在院子里遇到一个带有斧头的陌生人,那人称赞院子里那个磨石(grindstone)很好,想看看它好不好使,便花言巧语的让他转动磨石,而那人就在上面磨利自己的斧头。
据“美国之音”英语广播节目《词汇掌故》说,这个成语出自1810年美国宾夕法尼亚(Pennsylvania)一家报纸上首次刊登的一则故事。故事说的是有个陌生人手持一把斧头,想找磨石来磨利他的斧头。他在街上遇到一个男孩,就问道:“好孩子,你爸爸有磨石吗?”那男孩就带他到家里来,帮他转动磨石磨斧头。这对
一个孩子来说是件艰苦的活,男孩把手都磨破了,累个半死才把斧头磨得闪闪发光。那个人见目的达到,不仅没向小孩道谢,反而教训孩子快点去上学,以免迟到.2个出典实质上讲的是同一件事。富兰克林作为一位杰出的资产阶级革命家,担任的最后一项公职就是宾夕法尼亚州废奴委员会会长,为废除奴隶制而奔忙,直到生命的最后一息。宾夕法尼亚州一家报纸在富兰克林逝世20周年发表那篇小故事,应该就是他生前所讲的故事。这个故事的寓意很清楚:“持斧待磨者”用恭维的话来达到个人目的,人们不要上当受骗。
He may offer you a post in his firm,but he has an axe to grind, he wants to stand well with your father.His interest in our venture cannot be sincere,because i knew he has an axe to grind.In the first place,let me assure you,gentlemen,that i have not an axe to grind