Interpreting Idioms
Both English and Chinese are particularly rich in idioms. Idioms are so vivid, terse, colloquial, and forcible in conveying a particular meaning that they are frequently used by speakers of both languages. Chinese and English idioms came into being under different historical, geographical, cultural and social backgrounds, so they contain different stories reflecting different environment, life, history, culture and values of the native speakers. It is surely no easy thing to understand idioms, let alone interpret them off-handed. One can hardly expect to provide a satisfactory rendition of an idiom unless he is guided by the correct method and, at the same time, manages to get an accurate understanding of its implied meaning through its surface structure according to the context.
1.Definition of Idioms
Idioms can be understood both in a broad sense an din a narrow one. In the narrow sense, they simply refer to the set phrases or clauses used in a language. Broadly speaking, they comprise all the idiomatic and special expressions in that language, including, in this context, all the set phrases, colloquialisms, proverbs, slang and clichés in English, and all the four-character set phrases（成语）, common sayings（俗
语）, proverbs and two-part allegorical sayings(歇后语) （of which the first part is descriptive and the second part carries the message）in Chinese. It is their broad sense that we are discussing in this unit. Hence, an idiom can be defined as a group of words with meaning different from the combined meanings of its component words. It is a combination of two or more words which are usually structurally fixed and semantically hard to understand, and function as a single unit of meaning. For example, “red tape”is an English idiom which means “official rules and procedures that seem unnecessary and cause delay.”But one can hardly guess its meaning from the individual words that form it, for these words have already lost their original meaning.
An idiomatic expression is an established form that has been accepted by traditional usage. The words in it cannot, as a rule, be depleted or replaced by synonymous words, or put in a different order, without affecting or destroying the meaning. Therefore, the component words, the word order and the meaning of each idiom must be remembered as a whole.
2.Methods of Interpreting Idioms
2.1.Borrowing(借用法) or Idiom for Idiom (以习语译习
语)
As we mentioned previously, both Chinese and English abound in idioms. Some idioms in one language contain images, descriptions and meanings identical to idioms in the other language. This is because certain natural and human experiences are shared by the whole mankind wherever they live. There are also idioms that express the same meanings though they don’t have identical metaphors or images. In both cases, we might as well borrow them directly from the target language so as to retain their vividness and achieve equivalence in effect. For example:
一箭双雕（一举两得）
混水摸鱼fish in troubled water
三思而后行Look before you leap.
有志者，事竟成。
无风不起浪。There is no smoke without fire.
饥不择食Hungry dogs will eat dirty puddings.
一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳。A burnt child dreads fire. / Once bitten, twice shy.
滴水穿石Constant dripping wears the stone.
破釜沉舟to burn one’s boat
隔墙有耳Walls have ears.
积少成多Many a little makes a mickle.
一言既出，驷马难追What is said cannot be unsaid.
谋事在人，成事在天。Man proposes, god disposes.
既往不咎Let bygones be bygones.
有钱能使鬼推磨。Money makes mare go; money talks.
一寸光阴一寸金。
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
Birds of a feather flock together.
Two heads are better than one.
Give him an inch and he will take an ell.
Justice has long arms.
Once bitten, twice shy.
Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.
to kill the goose that lays golden eggs
Strike while the iron is hot.
to fish in the air
Don’t wash your dirty linen in public.
All good things must come to an end.
A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit.
2.2 直译(literal translation)。Literal translation means word-for-word rendition, bringing the whole image into the target language. This approach is used when the image contained in an idiom can be easily understood by the speakers
of the target language.(但是要特别注意译出来必须是不会产生歧义的，否则会适得其反，就不如意译了。) For example：良药苦口利于病，忠言逆耳利于行。
Good medicine is bitter in the mouth, but good for the disease; good-intended words offend the ear, but good for the conduct.
远水救不了近火。
Distant water cannot put out nearby fire.
易如反掌
鼠目寸光see no farther than one’s nose
君子动口不动手
武装到牙齿
引狼入室head wolf to the house
以牙还牙
千里之行，始于足下 A thousand-li journey is started by taking the first step.
削足适履to cut the feet to fit the shoes
血浓于水Blood is thicker than water.
玩火play with fire
摊牌to show one’s cards
2.3 意译（释义）(Paraphrasing or free translation)
Some idioms which exhibit strong national or cultural characteristics can neither be handled by borrowing idioms from the target language nor translated literally because it would cause misunderstanding or could not be easily accepted by native speakers of the other language. In this case, it is necessary to resort to paraphrasing according to the context. For example:
鹬蚌相争，渔翁得利。
一不做，二不休
心里象有十五个吊桶，七上八下
王小二过年，一年不如一年deteriorate
擀面杖吹火-----一窍不通
碰一鼻子灰
打开天窗说亮话
木已成舟，只好如此了。
不管三七二十一
小巫见大巫to be simply nothing compared to …
a fly on the wheel
a bull in a china shop
to paint the lily
(an area) flowing with milk and honey
2.4 Literal translation combined with paraphrasing (直
译加注法)。
This approach is used when certain idioms, particularly those with historical stories or names involved, can hardly be understood and accepted by the listener, and the interpreter cannot find their proper equivalents in the target language. If literal translation were used, they would lose their original vividness.
灵活处理是指根据上下文的语境，参照套语已有的译法，加上自己的创造，灵活地译出原话的含义。有几个方法可以研究：
（1）结合译法。即将直译和意译结合起来，句子中的套语可直译的用直译，不能用直译的用意译。如：
美国动不动就对人采取贸易制裁，其实是搬起石头砸自己的脚，到头来吃亏的还是他自己。
The US easily takes trade sanctions against other countries. In fact, like lifting a rock only to drop on its own toes, it is the US that suffers in the end.
他们决心摆脱贫困，再也不能倒回过那牛马不如的生活。
They are determined to get rid of poverty, for they would never return to the old days when they led a dog’s life.
(2) 近层译法。即先直译，后面再根据上下文的需要加上套语的释意。如：
科学的事不能一步登天，需要艰苦的努力。
Science calls for painstaking/unremitting efforts, one cannot reach the sky in a single bound------ attain the highest level in one step.
这事生米已煮成熟饭，不必后悔了。
Don’t be regret ful, the rice is already cooked------ what is done cannot be undone.
展览是综合性的，由于参观时间短，我们只能走马观花。
As the visit is short for such a comprehensive exhibition, we could, like a Chinese saying goes, only look at the flowers while passing them on horseback------ glance over things hurriedly.
杀鸡给猴看to kill the chicken to frighten the monkey---- to punish somebody as a warning to others
班门弄斧to show off one’s skill with the axe before Lu Ban the master carpenter-----to display one’s slight skill before an expert/ to teach your grandma to suck eggs/ to teach fish to swim
三个臭皮匠，赛过诸葛亮。Three cobblers with their wits combined surpass Zhu Geliang the mastermind -----Two heads are better than one.
(3) 共同译法。即原语中共同的（重复的）部分可以合并的即合并在一起翻译出来。汉语为了加强语气，常常用同一
句型，排比的结构来阐述道理，描绘事物。口译时，可根据情况，有的可以把共同的部分合起来翻译，有的用对应方式照译。如：
要加强对党员干部特别时领导干部的严格要求、严格管理、严格监督。
Party members, especially leading officials, should be subject to strict requirements, management and supervision. (也可译为：be subject to high standards, rigorous management and close supervision.)（这句汉语的“严格”，英译时只用了一个“stricter”作为后面三个词requirements, management and supervision的共同的修饰语）
各级政府要把两个文明作为统一的奋斗目标，一起部署，一起落实，一起检查。
Governments at all levels should take the two aspects of material development and ethical and cultural progress as a unified objective in our endeavour, to be planned, implemented and examined together.
增强人们的自立意识、竞争意识、效率意识和民主法制意识
enhance the people’s awareness of self-reliance, competition, efficiency, and the rule by law (三个“意识”，英语一个awareness)
领导干部要自重、自省、自警、自励，以身作则，言行一致。
Leading officials should exercise self-respect, self-reflection, self-caution and self-encouragement, set an example for others, and match their words with deeds. (用对应方式照译) （4）剖析译法。即将该套语的语言形式剖开，将它的内在含义翻译出来。这种方法主要用于带有数字的汉语套语。比如“三下乡”，原指“文化、科技和医疗”。遇到这种情况，口译时要去掉它的外壳，不用去管那个数字而把它的内容译出来，否则听者根本无法听懂。在同一场口译中，其后遇到同一个套语，可以借用汉语数字型的套语形式进行翻译，这时听者已经知道它的内涵，能够理解和接受了。如：繁荣文学艺术，要坚持“二为”方向。（为人民服务，为社会主义服务）
In flouring literature and art, efforts should be made to adhere to the orientation of serving people and the cause of socialism.
要教育人民成为“四有”人民，教育干部成为“四有”干部。（有理想、有道德、有文化、有纪律）
The masses of people and officials should be taught to have ideals and moral integrity, and to be well-educated and self-disciplined.
社会主义道德建设要以“五爱”为基本要求。（爱祖国、爱人民、爱劳动、爱科学、爱社会主义）
The building of socialist ethics should take cherishing a deep love for the motherland, the people, work, science and socialism as the basic requirements.
有的缩略词虽不带有数字，但是从字面意思上理解不到它的具体内容，也需要用剖析翻译的办法恢复它实际的内容，才能让听者明白。如：
“扫黄打非”，其具体意思是：清除黄色书刊的销售和非法出版
“eliminate the sale and production of pornographic and illegal publications”
“打假”（打击生产冒牌（假）货的人）“mount an attack on producers of counterfeit product s”
“严打”(“严厉打击经济犯罪活动”，也指“严厉打击走私活动”“严厉打击各种犯罪活动”，应根据实际内容具体翻译出来) “be relentless in fighting economic crimes”, “relentlessly crack down on smuggling”
3.Practical advice for handling idioms
1)When interpreting idioms, we must take into full consideration the differences between the Chinese and English
cultures and languages. We should avoid using seemingly identical but actually erroneous idioms in interpreting. If we can find an idiom in the target language that corresponds exactly to that in the source language, so much the better, because expressions familiar to the listeners make our translation more easily accepted. However, more often than not, we cannot find an idiom equivalent in meaning. In that case, we should not misuse any idioms in the target language, not unless we are sure of them. As a matter of principle, we would rather sound flat than elegant but erroneous. For example:
有眼不识泰山。To entertain an angel unawares (≠to have eyes but fail to see Taishan Mountain)
你可不能食言呀！You cannot break your promise. （≠You cannot eat your words.）
You are pulling my leg. 你在开玩笑。
A horse stumbles that has four legs. 人非圣贤，熟能无过。
I’m dead-beat today. 今天我筋疲力尽。
He’s leading a dog’s life. 他过着非人的生活。
2)Try to memorize as many idioms as possible along with their established versions of translation in the process of training. Many idioms have more than one version of translation. It would be very convenient and helpful if an interpreter trainee
could remember these generally accepted versions of idioms. For example:
己所不欲，勿施于人。
Do as you would be done by.
Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
Do not do to others what you do not wish to be done to yourself.
说曹操，曹操到。
Talk/Speak of an angel, and you will hear her wings.
Speak of the wolf, and you will see his tail.
Talk/Speak of the devil and he will appear.
少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲。
If one does not work hard in youth, one will regret it in old age.
A young idler, an old beggar.
They must hunger in frost that will not work in heat.
3)If we hear an idiom or a string of idioms that we find hard to translate, we must, first of all, try our best to comprehend the meaning of the idiom or idioms in the light of the contest and renders the meaning rather than the individual words. Whichever method is used we must try to convey original message. For example:
我们必须独立自主、自力更生地发展国防。
We must develop our defense independently and self-reliantly. 中国人民解放军70多年的历史，是从小到大、从弱到强的发展史。
The seventy-odd years’history of the PLA is a history of its growth in size and strength.
Don’t argue with him. He has already got one foot in the grave. 别和他争了，他已经是风烛残年的人了。
It was a long time before someone broke the ice at the meeting. 会上出现了很长时间的僵局。
4）In case we fail to find an equivalent for an idiom in the target language, we must at least try to distinguish commendatory terms from derogatory terms.Then we can interpret the idioms creatively and flexibly. In so doing, we won’t go too far from the real meaning of an idiom, nor would we commit the mistake f “reversal of sense”.
A commendatory term is one that essentially carries the quality of being good and commendable and expresses praise and approval.
For example:
坚韧不拔to persevere in tenacious efforts; staunch and
unyielding
呕心历血to work on e’s heart out; to shed on e’s heart’s blood
绚丽多彩bright and colorful; gorgeous
A derogatory term is one that tends to take away the good and commendable qualities and serves to belittle someone or something that the term is applied. For example:
弄巧成拙to try to be clever only to end up with a blunder; to outsmart oneself
忘乎所以to forget oneself; to get swollen-headed
胆小如鼠as cowardly as a mouse; as timid as a hare; chicken-hearted
丧心病狂as mad as a March hare
4.练习
时事类：
改革开放政策Reform and opening up policy
经济指标economic indicator
人均国民生产总值per capita gross national product
国民收入national income
财政收入fiscal revenue
社会商品零售总额total volume of retail sales
社会主义市场经济socialist market economy
外向型经济export-oriented economy
劳动密集型企业Labor-intensive enterprises
高新技术产业new high-tech industry
可行性研究feasibility study
经济过热overheated economy
宏观调控macro-control
知识产权intellectual property
成语类：
捷足先登. the swift-footed arrive first
鞭长莫及beyond one's ability to help
不卑不亢Neither overbearing nor servile
吹毛求疵be neither overbearing nor servile
打草惊蛇wake a sleeping dog
大刀阔斧deal with a matter summarily without regard to details 得天独厚to be exceptionally gifted
德才兼备combine ability with political integrity
等闲视之treat lightly or casually
二一添作五go halves /go fiity-fifty
飞黄腾达rise in the world
得寸进尺Give him an inch and he will take a yard.
光明磊落open and above board/ frank
好高骛远crave something high and out of reach
哗众取宠please the public with claptrap
居心叵测with hidden intent
一粒老鼠屎搞坏一锅汤 A mouse droppings ruin a pot of soup
落花有意，流水无情Only one party willing
别有用心have ulterior motives
出尔反尔break a promise
称王称霸call the king and the tyrant
背信弃义break faith with somebody
妄自尊大be self important
自食其果suffer the consequence of one's own doing
忠言逆耳Good advice jars on the ear.
自取灭亡dig one's own grave
狼狈为奸work in collusion with each other
倒行逆施go against the tide of history
变本加厉go from bad to worse
有目共睹be obvious to all
一如既往just as before
危言耸听an alarmist talk/ an alarming story
说三道四dish the dirt
丧权辱国humiliate the nation and forfeit its sovereignty
引狼入室set a fox to keep one's geese
后患无穷with no end of troubles in sight
义愤填膺feel indignant at the injustice
大势所趋the trend of the times
背道而驰run counter
一意孤行go one's own way
坐收渔人之利
换汤不换药。 a change in form but not in content or essence
冒天下之大不韪against the world
情人眼里出西施。Beauty is the eyes of the beholder
醉翁之意不在酒。have ulterior motives
又要马儿跑，又要马儿不吃草。You can't eat your cake and have it 天有不测风云，人有旦夕祸福。Fortune is fickle
人不可貌相，海水不可斗量。Don't judge a book by its cover 人无千日好，花无白日红。No morning sun lasts a whole day 满招损，谦受益。Humility often gain more than pride.
刚者至柔，柔者至刚。
酒逢知己千杯少。One can drink far more than usual with a bosom friend. 近朱者赤，近墨者黑。He who lies down with dogs will rise with fleas 有缘千里来相会，无缘对面不想逢。
凡事预则立，不预则废。Preparedness ensures success, unpreparedness
spells failure
饱汉不知饿汉饥。the well-fed don't know how the starving suffer
伴君如伴虎。being close to the emperor is like being close to a tiger 冰冻三尺，非一日之寒。Rome is not built in a day
宝剑锋从磨砺出，梅花香自苦寒来。
As blind as a bat
As cool as a cucumber
As easy as rolling off a log
A bed or roses
Between the devil and the blue sea
To call a spade a spade
Now or never
To pull on e’s leg
With tongue in cheek
Much cry and little wool
To wear on e’s heart on on e’s sleeve
The leopard cannot change its spots.
A small leak will sink a great ship.
He that sups with devil must have a long spoon.
As the touchstone tries gold, so gold tries men.
Behind the mountains there are people to be found.
The proof of pudding is in the eating.
One cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Nothing succeeds like success.
Enough is as good as a feast.
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched. Many hands make light work.
The mills of God grind slowly.
He laughs best who laughs last.
Marry in haste and repent at leisure.
Courtesy on one side lasts not long.
Little thieves are hanged, but great ones escaped. Like attracts like.
Everyone for himself, the devil take the hindmost. It’s no use crying over split milk.
Time and tide wait for on man.
Nothing venture, nothing gain/have.
The life of the wolf is the death of the lamb. Speech is silver, silence is gold.
Short accounts make long friends.
There is no rose without a thorn.
Better late than never.
Many a good cow hath a bad calf.
英语作文常用谚语、俗语 1、A liar is not believed when he speaks the truth. 说谎者即使讲真话也没人相信。 2、A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. 一知半解，自欺欺人。 3、All rivers run into sea. 海纳百川。 4、All roads lead to Rome. 条条大路通罗马。 5、All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. 只会用功不玩耍，聪明孩子也变傻。 6、A bad beginning makes a bad ending. 不善始者不善终。 7、Actions speak louder than words. 事实胜于雄辩。 8、A faithful friend is hard to find. 知音难觅。 9、A friend in need is a friend indeed. 患难见真情。 10、A friend is easier lost than found. 得朋友难，失朋友易。 11、A good beginning is half done. 良好的开端是成功的一半。 12、A good beginning makes a good ending. 善始者善终。 13、A good book is a good friend. 好书如挚友。 14、A good medicine tastes bitter. 良药苦口。 15、A mother's love never changes. 母爱永恒。 16、An apple a day keeps the doctor away. 一天一苹果，不用请医生。 17、A single flower does not make a spring. 一花独放不是春，百花齐放春满园。 18、A year's plan starts with spring. 一年之计在于春。 19、A young idler, an old beggar. 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲。 20、Better late than never. 不怕慢，单怕站。 21、By reading we enrich the mind.读书使人充实， 22、Care and diligence bring luck. 谨慎和勤奋才能抓住机遇。 23、Confidence in yourself is the first step on the road to success. 自信是走向成功的第一步。 24、Custom is a second nature. 习惯是后天养成的。 25、Custom makes all things easy. 有个好习惯，事事皆不难。 26、Doing is better than saying. 与其挂在嘴上，不如落实在行动上。 27、Do nothing by halves. 凡事不可半途而废。 28、Don't put off till tomorrow what should be done today. 今日事，今日毕。 29、Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you. 不要自找麻烦。 30、Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. 早睡早起身体好。 31、Easier said than done. 说得容易，做得难。 32、Easy come, easy go. 来也匆匆，去也匆匆。 33、Eat to live, but not live to eat. 人吃饭是为了活着，但活着不是为了吃饭。 34、Every man has his faults. 金无足赤，人无完人。 35、Every man is the architect of his own fortune. 自己的命运自己掌握。 36、Every minute counts. 分秒必争。 37、Each coin has two sides. 38、Fact speak louder than words. 事实胜于雄辩。 39、Failure is the mother of success. 失败是成功之母。 40、God helps those who help themselves. 自助者天助。 41、Health is better than wealth. 健康胜过财富。 42、Honesty is the best policy. 做人诚信为本。 43、Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. 抱最好的愿望，做最坏的打算。 44、It is never too old to learn. 活到老，学到老。 45、Knowledge is power. 知识就是力量 46、Like mother, like daughter. 有其母必有其女。 47、No pain，no gain.（不劳无获。） 48、You never know till you have tried. 不尝试，不知晓。。 49、An idle youth, a needy age.少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲。 50、Diligence is the mother of success.勤奋是成功之母。 51、Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. 早睡早起，使人健康、富裕和聪颖。 52、Experience is the best teacher.经验是最好的教师。
名人名言的英文翻译
名人名言的英文翻译 【篇一：名人名言的英文翻译】 1、genius only means hard-working all ones life. (mendeleyev russian chemist) 天才只意味着终身不懈地努力。（俄国化学家门捷列耶夫） 2、the man who has made up his mind to win will never say impossible . (bonaparte napoleon ,french emperor ) 凡是决心取得胜利的人是从来不说不可能的。( 法国皇帝拿破仑. b.) 3、there is no such thing as a great talent without great will - power. (balzac) 没有伟大的意志力，便没有雄才大略。（巴尔扎克） 4、cease to struggle and you cease to live.（thomas carlyle）生命不止，奋斗不息。（卡莱尔） 5、a strong man will struggle with the storms of fate.(thomas addison) 强者能同命运的风暴抗争。（爱迪生） 6、living without an aim is like sailing without a compass.（john ruskin） 生活没有目标，犹如航海没有罗盘。（罗斯金） 7、live a noble and honest life. reviving past times in your old age will help you to enjoy your life again.
中文常用谚语翻译
English Idioms and Proverbs 1.No sweet without sweat. 没有耕耘就没有收获 2.One is as old as one’s heart.心有多老人有多老 3.Time heals all sorrows. 时间治愈一切创伤 4.Many hands make light work. 人多力量大 5. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. 千里之行始于足下 6.Where there is smoke, there is fire.无风不起浪 7.As poor as a church mouse.一贫如洗 8. A good medicine tastes bitter.良药苦口 9.Clothes make the man.人靠衣装, 佛靠金装 10.Clothes don’t make the man.不能以貌取人 11.Strike while the iron is hot.趁热打铁 12.Look before you leap.三思而后行 13.To teach a fish how to swim.班门弄斧 14.Self-trust is the first secret of success.自信是成功的秘诀 15.Better late than never.迟做总比不做好 16.God helps those who help themselves.自助者天助 17.Love me, love my dog.爱屋及乌 18.Rome was not built in a day.伟业非一日之功 19.Like father , Like son.有其父必有其子 20.Well begun, half done好的开端,成功的一半 21.Every cloud has a silver lining否极泰来
英语常用谚语 目录 字母A开头 (1) 字母B开头 (3) 字母C开头 (4) 字母D开头 (5) 字母E开头 (5) 字母F开头 (6) 字母G开头 (7) 字母H开头 (8) 字母I开头 (9) 字母J开头 (10) 字母K开头 (10) 字母L开头 (10) 字母M开头 (12) 字母N开头 (12) 字母O开头 (13) 字母P开头 (14) 字母R开头 (15) 字母S开头 (15) 字母T开头 (15) 字母U开头 (18) 字母V开头 (19) 字母W开头 (19)
字母A开头 1、A bad beginning makes a bad ending. 不善始者不善终。 2、A bad thing never dies. 遗臭万年。 3、A bad workman always blames his tools. 不会撑船怪河弯。 4、A bird in the hand is worth than two in the bush. 一鸟在手胜过双鸟在林。 5、A boaster and a liar are cousins-german. 吹牛与说谎本是同宗。 6、A bully is always a coward. 色厉内荏。 7、A burden of one\'s choice is not felt. 爱挑的担子不嫌重。 8、A candle lights others and consumes itself. 蜡烛照亮别人，却毁灭了自己。 9、A cat has lives. 猫有九条命。 10、A cat may look at a king. 猫也可以打量国王，意为人人平等。 11、A close mouth catches no flies. 病从口入。 12、A constant guest is never welcome. 常客令人厌。 13、A fair death honors the whole life. 死得其所，流芳百世。 14、A faithful friend is hard to find. 知音难觅。 15、A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit. 吃一堑，长一智。 16、A fox may grow gray, but never good. 江山易改，本性难移。 17、A friend in need is a friend indeed. 患难见真情。 18、A friend is easier lost than found. 得朋友难，失朋友易。 19、A friend is never known till a man has need. 需要之时方知友。 20、A friend without faults will never be found. 没有十全十美的朋友。 21、A good beginning is half done. 良好的开端是成功的一半。 22、A good beginning makes a good ending. 善始者善终。 23、A good book is a good friend. 好书如挚友。 24、A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever. 一本好书，相伴一生。 25、A good conscience is a soft pillow. 不做亏心事，不怕鬼叫门。 26、A good fame is better than a good face. 美名胜过美貌。 27、A good husband makes a good wife. 夫善则妻贤。
无源之水,无本之木water without a source, and a tree wiithout roots 无中生有make/create something out of nothing 无风不起浪There are no waves without wind. There\\\'s no smoke without fire. 徇私枉法bend the law for the benefit of relatives or friends 新官上任三把火a new broom sweeps clean 虚心使人进步,骄傲使人落后Modesty helps one go forward, whereas conceit makes one lag behind. 蓄势而发accumulate strength for a take-off 心想事成May all your wish come true 心照不宣have a tacit understanding; give tacit consent; tacit understanding 先入为主First impressions are firmly entrenched. 先下手为强catch the ball before the bound 像热锅上的蚂蚁like an ant on a hot pan 现身说法warn people by taking oneself as an example 息事宁人pour oil on troubled waters 喜忧参半mingled hope and fear 循序渐进step by step 一路平安，一路顺风speed somebody on their way; speed the parting guest 严以律己,宽以待人be strict with oneself and lenient towards others 鱼米之乡a land of milk and honey 有情人终成眷属"Jack shall have Jill, all shall be well." 有钱能使鬼推磨Money makes the mare go. Money talks. 有识之士people of vision 有勇无谋use brawn rather than brain 有缘千里来相会Separated as we are thousands of miles apart, we come together as if by predestination. 与时俱进advance with times 以人为本people oriented; people foremost 因材施教teach students according to their aptitude 欲穷千里目，更上一层楼"to ascend another storey to see a thousand miles further; Ascend further, were you to look farther; Would eye embrace a thousand miles? Go up, one flight."
1. 人山人海：a (the) sea of faces 2、家家有本难念的经：Many families have skeletons in the closet.（许多家庭的衣柜里都有骨骸，骨骸就是指家丑。）”；或者说：“Every family has its own source of shame.（每个家庭都有自己的丑事）”；说白些，就是：“Every family has its own problem.” 3、天下无不散的宴席：All good things come to an end.（意思是：所有好的事情，总有结束的一天。）”；假如是指好友最后也有分别的一天，那么可以说：“Eventually, all bosom friends will drift apart.（bosom friend是指知心的好友）” 4、平时不烧香，临时抱佛脚：Worship God every day; not just in times of adversity.（要每天敬拜神，不是只在困难时。）；也可以说：“If you study hard every day, exams will not seem overwhelming.（如果你每天用功，考试就不会形成压力。）” 5、挂羊头，卖狗肉：He applied bait-and-switch factics in business.（他经商的策略是先引诱顾客来，再改变货物的品质。），“Bait-and-switch”当名词用，也可不用连字号“This store uses bait and switch policy.或“Say one thing and do another.” 6、一言既出，驷马难追：A word once let go cannot be recalled.或者You can not take back what you have said.（你说出的话，就不能再收回来。） 7、祸从口出，言多必失：Careless talk leads to trouble.（不小心说话，会带来麻烦）或“The less said the better.（说的愈少愈好）”甚至也可以说：“Shut the mouth and open the eyes.（闭嘴少说，张眼多看。）”
A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit. 吃一堑，长一智Facts speak louder than words. 事实胜于雄辩 Money can’t buy time. 寸金难买寸光阴 Failure is the mother of success. 失败乃成功之母。 The visitor arrives, it is as if returning home.宾至如归。 A good beginning is half the battle.良好的开端成功的一半。To teach is to learn.教学相长。 Like father,like son.有其父，必有其子。 Pride goes before a fall.骄兵必败。 Fish in trouble water.混水摸鱼。 Business is business.公事公办。 The style is the man.文入其人。 More haste,less speed.欲速则不达。 Great minds think alike.英雄所见略同。 Misfortunes never come alone. 祸不单行。 Hedges have eyes,walls have ears.隔篱有眼，隔墙有耳。Man proposes,God disposes.谋事在人，成事在天。Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.情人眼里出西施。Time and tide wait for no man.时不待我/岁月无情。 A young idlder,an old beggar. 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲。
80句中文谚语的英文翻译，简直太美了！ 01. A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near. 海内存知己，天涯若比邻。 02. A common danger causes common action. 同舟共济。 03. A contented mind is a continual/perpetual feast. 知足常乐。 04. A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit. 吃一堑，长一智。 05. A guest should suit the convenience of the host. 客随主便。 06. A letter from home is a priceless treasure. 家书抵万金。 07. All rivers run into the sea. 殊途同归。 08. All time is no time when it is past. 机不可失，时不再来。 09. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. 一日一个苹果，身体健康不求医。 10. As heroes think, so thought Bruce. 英雄所见略同。 11. A young idler, an old beggar. 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲。 12. Behind the mountains there are people to be found. 天外有天，山外有山。 13. Bad luck often brings good luck. 塞翁失马，安知非福。 14. Bread is the stall of life. 面包是生命的支柱（民以食为天）。 15. Business is business. 公事公办。 16. Clumsy birds have to start flying early. 笨鸟先飞。 17. Courtesy costs nothing. 礼多人不怪。 18. Custom makes all things easy. 习惯成自然。 19. Desire has no rest. 人的欲望无止境。 20. Difficult the first time, easy the second. 一回生，二回熟。 21. Do not change horses in mid-stream. 别在河流中间换马。 22. Do not have too many irons in the fire. 贪多嚼不烂。 23. Do not pull all your eggs in one basket. 别把所有的蛋都放在一个篮子里。（不要孤注一掷。） 24. Do not teach fish to swim. 不要班门弄斧。 25. East or west, home is the best. 东奔西跑，还是家里好。 26. Experience is the best teacher. 实践出真知。 27. Fact is stranger than fiction. 事实比虚构更离奇。（大千世界，无奇不有。）
常见的谚语翻译 一桶水摇不响，半桶水响叮当 Still water runs deep.（静水深不可测） 也可以说：He who knows the most says the least.（懂得越多的人，反而说得越少。） 水落石出 老外的说法是：All secrets may eventually come to light. (所有秘密最后总会曝光。) 这山望到那山高 有人译成：The apples on the other side of the wall are the sweetest.（意思是：墙那边的苹果最甜）The grass always looks greener on the other side.（另一边的草，看来总是绿些。） 烈火炼真金，患难见真情 Fire is the test of gold；adversity is the test of friendship. Liquor brings out a person’s true color.（烈酒能显示一个人真正的特色。） By a long road, we know a horse’s strength；at times of difficulty, we discover a friend’s true character. 雷声大，雨点小 Actions speak louder than words. (行动胜于言谈) All we hear is words, but there is no action. （只动嘴不动手）。 Actions and words should go hand in hand. (言行必须一致) An empty barrel makes the biggest sound.（空洞的话说得太多了。） 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 A man can not be known by his look, nor can the ocean be measured by a dipper. A man can not be judged by his appearance, nor can the water in the sea be measured by a bucket. We can not judge a person by appearance only. You can not judge a book by its cover. 口蜜腹剑，笑里藏刀 with honey on one’s lip and murder in one’s heart honey-mouthed but dagger-hearted. He is an evil man who has a mouth that praises and a hand that kills. 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 Study hard when you are young. It will pay off when you get older. (年轻时好好努力，到老的时就会觉得学有所值。) 学如行舟，不进则退 Learning is like rowing upstream; not to advance is to drop back. Learning seems like rowing upstream; if one does not advance, one will fall back. Learning is like rowing against the current, if one does not advance, one will retreat. 忠言逆耳，良药苦口
常用英语谚语大全 1. A bad beginning makes a bad ending. 开头不好，结尾必糟。 2. A bad custom is like a good cake, better broken than kept. 蛋糕莫保留，坏习气要除掉。 3. A bad workman always blames his tools. 劣工咎器。 4. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. 两鸟在林，不如一鸟在手。 5. A body without knowledge is like a house without a foundation. 人无知犹如房屋无基。 6. A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. 书是随时携带的花园。 7. A candle lights others and consumes itself. 蜡烛照亮了别人，燃尽了自己。 8. A door must be either shut or open. 门不关就得开，二者必居其一。/ 非此即彼。 9. A friend is a second self. 朋友是第二个自我。 10. A good beginning makes a good ending. 欲善其终, 必先善其始。 11. A good medicine tastes bitter. 良药苦口利于病，忠言逆耳利于行。 12. A lazy youth, a lousy age. 少年懒惰，老来贫苦。 13. A life without a friend is a life without a sun. 人生没有朋友，犹如生活没有阳光。 14. A little help is worth a deal of pity. 一次行动胜过一筐空话。 15. A little is better than none. 有一点总比没有好。 16. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. 一知半解，害已误人。 17. A little labour, much health. 常常走动，无病无痛。 18. A little learning is a dangerous thing. 浅学寡识是件危险的事。 19. A little of everything, and nothing at all. 样样皆通，样样稀松。 20. A man is never too old to learn. 活到老，学到老。 21. A merry heart goes all the way. 心情愉快，办事痛快。 22. A picture is a poem without words. 画为无言诗。
Part One I had only recently seen John in a restaurant. The news of his death came as a bolt from the blue She found the keys she had lost last month, which was like a bolt from the blue A bolt from the blue Meaning：A complete surprise, like a bolt of lightning from a blue sky. Origin：This has the feel of a Shakespearian or Biblical phrase, but it isn't as old as it sounds. There are several forms of it: 'out of the blue', 'a bolt out of the blue', etc. The earliest citation is Thomas Carlyle, in The French Revolution, 1837: "Arrestment, sudden really as a bolt out of the Blue, has hit strange victims." It is unpleasant to hear him speak on national topics, for he is a bird of ill omen. 叫他谈论国事是不愉快的，因为他常出不吉之言。 a bird of ill omen 中国有句老话:“夜猫子进宅，无事不来”，可见猫头鹰是种不吉利的象征。它往往和黑暗、神秘甚至死亡联系起来。然而在日本，猫头鹰却是吉利和幸福的代表。 奥运会的吉祥物 雕像、挂钟、水壶、牙签盒，甚至还有女士佩戴的胸针 They were only crying crocodile tears at the old man's funeral because nobody had really liked him. 在老人的葬礼上，他们在假装慈悲，因为他们之中没有谁喜欢过他。 We need not hope for lower taxes in the future ─ that would be crying for the moon. 我们不应抱任何希望将来会降低税收，这是根本不可能的事。 “不可能”，“没门”的译法 No way/There is no way! Impossible! Out of the question/That's out of the question! Not a chance! Hopeless! Pigs might fly! The sun might rise in the west! Never/Never ever ever! You are crying for the moon! Street Arabs are produced by slums and not by original sin. 流浪儿是贫民窟的产物，而不是原始罪恶的产物。 John is ashamed of his humble background. That is his Achilles' heel. 约翰因出身卑贱而自惭形秽，这是他的致命弱点。 Every atom of your flesh is as dear to me as my own; in pain and sickness it would still be dear. 在我看来，你身上的每一个细胞都像我自己的细胞一样亲，即使你痛苦你有病，也还是一样亲。 I'll play old Gooseberry with the office, and make you glad to buy me out at a good high figure. 我要在工作上故意捣蛋，使你不得不付出高价收买我。 play gooseberry (British humorous) to be with two people who are having a romantic relationship and who would prefer to be alone. “Best be off to bed, my boy ─ ho, ho!”“No, no. We know a trick worth two of that. We won’t go home till morning, till day light does appear!” “孩子，最好上床睡吧——嗬，嗬！”“不，不，你不必跟我们玩那一套。不到明天，不到天大亮我们不归家。
经典英文谚语大全带翻译 英文谚语大全带翻译第一部分 1、A little of everything, and nothing at all. 样样皆通，样样稀松。 2、A picture is a poem without words. 画为无言诗。 3、A word spoken cannot be recalled. 谚语是一个民族生产、生活智慧的沉淀与结晶,是一个民族语言与文化的精华。以下是由为大家推荐的英文谚语大全，欢迎大家学习参考。 一言说出，难以收回。 4、An apple a day keeps the doctor away. 一天一个苹果，医生不来找我。 5、A man is never too old to learn. 活到老，学到老。 6、A little labour, much health. 常常走动，无病无痛。 7、A bad custom is like a good cake, better broken than kept. 蛋糕莫保留，坏习气要除掉。 8、A life without a friend is a life without a sun. 她太喜爱这个娃娃了，所以对它观察得很细致。她是按这样的顺序来观察并描写的：蓝天→星星→月亮→小男孩和小女孩→可爱的小花猫。写一个静物比较容易，要把静物写得生动而又具体就不那么容易了。周智莹小朋友恰恰做到了这一点：她不仅写了这个静物各部分的颜色、大孝样子，还写出了小男孩和小女孩的服饰和姿态，最后还写出了自己的联想，字里行间流露出对爸爸送给自己的这份礼物的喜爱之情。 人生没有朋友，犹如生活没有阳光。
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English Idioms and Proverbs 1.No sweet without sweat。没有耕耘就没有收获 2.One is as old as one’s heart. 心有多老人有多老 3.Time heals all sorrows.时间治愈一切创伤 4.Many hands make light work。人多力量大 5. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. 千里之行始于足 下 6.Where there is smoke, there is fire。无风不起浪 7.As poor as a church mouse。一贫如洗 8. A good medicine tastes bitter.良药苦口 9.Clothes make the man。人靠衣装, 佛靠金装 10.Clothes don’t make the man。不能以貌取人 11.Strike while the iron is hot.趁热打铁 12.Look before you leap.三思而后行 13.To teach a fish how to swim。班门弄斧 14.Self—trust is the first secret of success。自信是成功的秘诀 15.Better late than never.迟做总比不做好 16.God helps those who help themselves。自助者天助 17.Love me, love my dog。爱屋及乌 18.Rome was not built in a day。伟业非一日之功 19.Like father ， Like son.有其父必有其子 20.Well begun, half done好的开端，成功的一半 21.Every cloud has a silver lining否极泰来 22.Where there is a will， there is a way.有志者事竟成 23.Haste makes waste.欲速则不达 24.All roads lead to Rome.条条道路通罗马 25.Time and tide waits for no man岁月不等人
中文谚语的英文翻译 https://www.doczj.com/doc/f41096831.html,/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=740409中文谚语英语翻译 1．见机行事。 2．兵不厌诈。 3．留得青山在，不怕没柴烧。 4．种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆。 5．不问就听不到假话。 6．情人眼里出西施。 7．血浓于水。 8．海内存知己，天涯若比邻。 9．简洁是智慧的灵魂。 10．公事公办。 11．车到山前必有路。 12．巧妇难为无米之炊。 13．笨鸟先飞。 14．精诚所至，金石为开。 15．置之死地而后生。 16．滴水穿石。 17．习惯成自然。 18．以其人之道，还治其人之身。19．血债要用血来还。 20．隔行如隔山。 21．一回生，二回熟。 22．早动手，早收获。 23．者千虑，必有一失。 24．吃一堑，长一智。 25．国家兴亡，匹夫有责。 26．每一个人都有美中不足的地方。27．人各有所好。 28．行行出状元。 29．仁者见仁，智者见智。 30．切莫错过良机。 31．凡事总有一个开头。 32．身教胜于言教。 33．经验是智慧之母。 34．经验是愚者之师。 35．乐极生悲。 36．以眼还眼，以牙还牙。 37．心有余而力不足（贪多嚼不烂）。38．吃一堑，长一智。 39．人怕出名猪怕壮。 40．少说为佳。 41．寡不敌众。1. Act according to circumstances. 2. All is fair in war. 3. As long as the green hills last, there'll always be wood to burn. 4. As you sow, so shall you reap. 5. Ask no questions and be told no lies. 6. Beauty lies in lover's eye. 7. Blood is thicker than water. 8. A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near. 9. Brevity is the soul of wit. 10. Business is business. 11. The cart will find its way round the hill when it gets there. 12. he cleverest housewife cannot cook a meal without rice. 13. Clumsy birds have to start flying early. 14. Complete sincerity can affect even metal and stone. 15. Confront a person with the danger of death and he will fight to live. 16. Constant dripping wears away the stone. 17. Custom is a second nature. 18. Deal with a man as he deals with you. 19. Debts of blood must be paid in blood. 20. Different trades are separated as by mountains. 21. Different the first time, easy the second. 22. Early sow, early mow. 23. Even the wise are not free from error. 24. Every failure one meets with adds to one's experience. 25. Every man has a share of responsibility for the fate of his country. 26．Every man has the defects of his own virtues. 27．Every man to his taste. 28．Every profession produces its own leading authority. 29．Everyone thinks in his way. 30．Everything has its time and that time must be watched. 31．Everything must have a beginning. 32．Example is better than precept. 33．Experience is the mother of wisdom. 34．Experience is the teacher of fools. 35．Extreme joy begets sorrow. 36．An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 37．The eye is bigger than the belly. 38．A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit. 39．Fame portends trouble for men just as fattening does for pigs. 40．Few words are best. 41．A few are no match for the many.