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Words & Idioms 美国习惯用语(完整版)每一种语言都有它独特的成语和俗语。
而学习外语的人经常在理解这些习惯用语时会感到很困难。
这是因为你不可能从组成某个习惯用语的字面上来懂得它的意思。
比如,美国人经常说: “Give me a hand.”按照字面来理解, “give me hand”就是“给我一只手。
”可是,它的意思却是“帮我一下忙。
”另外一个例子是: “Foot the bill.”“ Foot” 的意思是“一只脚”,而“bill”在这儿的解释是“账单”。
“Foot the bill.”并不是把帐单踩在脚底下,而是付账的意思。
另外,有的时候,一个词汇有好几种解释。
就拿下面一句话来作例子吧:例句-1: “We arrived two hours late at the big blow-out for Charle’s birthday because our car had a blow-out.”这句话里第一个 blow-out 是指规模很大的聚会,第二个 blow-out 是指汽车的轮胎炸了。
整个句子的意思是:“由于我们车胎炸了,所以我们晚了两个小时才到达查理举行生日宴会的地方。
”还有一些习惯用语从字典上的意思来看是相同的,但是它们使用的场合却不同。
下面两个习惯用语就是很好的例子。
一个是“ Lock, stock and barrel”, 另外一个是:“ Hook, line and sinker”。
Lock, stock and barrel 和 Hook, line and sinker 都是全部的意思,可是用法却不同。
我们先来举一个 Lock, stock and barrel 的例子:例句-2: “Mr. Rockefeller bought the whole oil company lock, stock and barrel.”这句话的意思是:“洛克菲勒先生把整个石油公司买了下来”。
american idioms的例子【原创实用版】目录1.美国习惯用语的概述2.美国习惯用语的例子3.美国习惯用语在实际生活中的应用4.学习美国习惯用语的重要性正文1.美国习惯用语的概述美国习惯用语，也称为美国俚语，是指在美国日常生活中常用的固定短语或表达。
这些习惯用语具有鲜明的地域特色，反映了美国人的思维方式和文化背景。
学习和掌握这些习惯用语，有助于我们更好地理解美国文化，提高与美国人交流的效率。
2.美国习惯用语的例子以下是一些典型的美国习惯用语的例子：- Break a leg：表示“祝你好运”，常用于鼓励别人。
- Don"t count your chickens before they hatch：表示“不要过早乐观”，告诫人们在事情没有完成之前不要过于乐观。
- Easy come, easy go：表示“来得容易去得快”，形容财富或物品的得来和失去都很容易。
- Wear your heart on your sleeve：表示“感情外露”，形容一个人情感表达很直接，没有保留。
3.美国习惯用语在实际生活中的应用在美国人的日常交流中，习惯用语被广泛使用。
比如，当一个朋友要去参加面试，你可以用“Break a leg”来鼓励他；在别人过于乐观时，你可以用“Don"t count your chickens before they hatch”来提醒他。
这些习惯用语可以让你的表达更加地道和生动，也有助于拉近彼此的距离。
4.学习美国习惯用语的重要性随着全球化的发展，中美之间的交流越来越频繁。
掌握一些美国习惯用语，可以帮助我们更好地融入美国的社交场合，避免因为文化差异而产生的误解。
此外，学习这些习惯用语还有助于提高我们的英语水平，使我们在阅读、听力和写作等方面取得更好的成绩。
总之，美国习惯用语作为美国文化的一个重要组成部分，值得我们去学习和了解。
Idioms|典故美国人把小虫子叫bug，如果有很多蚊子苍蝇一类的bug围着你嗡嗡嗡，是不是很烦啊？而bug someone指的就是“惹人烦；招人厌”。
事实上美语中用小昆虫比喻麻烦的习语很多，比如ants in your pants（裤子里的蚂蚁），flea in one’s ear（耳朵里的跳蚤）等。
例句：Amanda: What is that noise?阿曼达：什么声音？Jimmy: Oh, you mean that? I’m clicking my pen.吉米：哦，你说的这个啊？我在玩我的钢笔。
Amanda: That really bugs me. Stop it, would you?阿曼达：那声音真的让我很心烦。
别玩了，好吗？burn someone up激怒某人一个人气到极点，脸胀得通红，眼里燃着熊熊怒火，恨不得把仇敌烧为灰烬，这就是burn someone up所指，即“激怒某人”。
例句：Susan: I can’t believe Kristen and Andrew didn’t invite us to their wedding.苏珊：真不敢想相信克里斯汀和安德鲁竟然没请我们参加他们的婚礼。
Rock: Yeah, that really burns me up!罗克：是啊，他们可真让我窝火！burn the midnight oil开夜车没有电灯的时候，人们用油灯照明，午夜（midnight）还点着油灯，让灯油（oil）燃着（burn），表明这个人还在苦干，就像我们常说的“他/她还在开夜车”。
美语中stay up late也有“熬夜”的意思。
例句：Nora: Did you burn the midnight oil last night?诺拉：你昨晚开夜车了吗？James: Yup, I pulled an all-nighter preparing my final project.詹姆斯：是啊，我昨晚熬了一夜准备我的最终方案。
The life of the party :人人喜欢参加又有吃又好玩的社交聚会，也就是party。
今天我们就来讲讲由party这个词发展而来的习惯用语。
第一个是： life of the party。
Life意思当然是生命，它也可以解释为“活力”或者“精华”。
Life of the party用来说某一种人。
什么样的人呢？我们听个例子来体会吧。
这个小伙子要向我们介绍他妹妹 Jenny, 听了他的描述，你一定觉得Jenny是非常讨人喜欢的女孩儿，注意他话里用上了习惯用语life of the party：例句-1：People who give parties always invite Jenny because they know she'll be the life of the party. She knows everybody in town, helps guests get to know each other, makes sure they get plenty to eat and makes everybody feel very comfortable.他说：举办party的人都会邀请Jenny。
他还告诉我们Jenny在当地人头很熟，所以在聚会上能为客人相互引见介绍，而且她还会注意大伙都有足够的食物，让每个人都感到舒畅。
可见他把Jenny称为life of the party意思就是在聚会中活跃气氛的中心人物。
在这儿指的是女性，但是life of the party也可以用来说男子。
这个习惯用语沿用至今至少有一百五十年了，但是因为它相当有用，所以经久不衰。
AAbout time:Nearly time, high time. "It's about time you bought a new car!"Absence makes the heart grow fonder:Proverb that means that our feeling for those we love increases when we are apart from them.(To) act high and mighty:To act proudly and arrogantly.Actions speak louder than words:Proverb meaning that's it's better to do something about a problem than to talk about it. (To) act one's age:To behave in a more mature way. Frequently said to a child or teen. ex. "Bill, stop throwing rocks! Act your age!"(To) add fuel to the fire:To make a bad problem even worse.(To) add insult to injury:To make a bad situation even worse.Against the clock:To attempt to do something "against the clock" is to attempt to do something as fast as possible usually before a deadline.All-out:Complete. Very strong. "They did an all-out search for the missing boy and they found him."All set:Ready (to go). "All set?"All thumbs:Awkward. Clumsy.A little bird told me:When someone says "a little bird told me" it means they don't want you to know who told them.All in a day's work:Typical. Normal. Expected. ex. "Talking to famous celebrities is all in a day's work for some Hollywood reporters."(From) all walks of life:(From) all social, economic, and ethnic groups. ex. "People from all walks of life voted for him, but he still lost the presidential election."Apple of someone's eye:Someone's favorite person (and sometimes thing). ex. "Sarah was the apple of Tom's eye for quite a long time. He was very much in love with her."Armed to the teeth:Heavily armed. ex. "The rebels were armed to the teeth."At all hours (of the night):Very late at night, throughout the night. ex. "Her boyfriend would call her at all hours of the night."At each other's throats:Fighting or arguing heavily. ex. "They were at each other's throats. The arguments never stopped."At this stage:At this point. ex. "At this stage, it's difficult to say who will win the election."B(a) ball-park figure:A rough estimate. "Can you give me a ball-park figure of what this project will cost?" (To get on the) bandwagon:To begin to like something/start doing something because it's popular, "hip", or everyone else is doing it.(To) bank on something:To count or rely on something.(To) bark up the wrong tree:To ask the wrong person. To make the wrong choice. ex. "The gangster told the cops they were barking up the wrong tree in thinking he was responsible for the robbery."(A) basket-case:A very nervous person, someone at the verge of being neurotic. ex. "All the stress from the divorce turned John into a basket case."(To) be a fan of someone/ something:To like, idolize, admire someone/ or something. ex. "I'm not a big fan of heavy metal music."(To) be a in one's element:To be completely comfortable doing something; To do something that comes very naturally to someone. ex. "When it comes to speaking in public, the Senator is in his element." (To) be up to no good:To be planning something bad, mischievous, etc. ex. "I could tell from the look in his eyes that he was up to no good."(To) beat around the bush:To avoid getting to the point. ex. "Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think."(To) beg to differ:A polite way of saying "to disagree", most often heard in the phrase "I beg to differ!" Behind (someone)In the past. "I used to smoke, drink, and take drugs, but all that is behind me now."Believe it or not:Used at the beginning sentence to state that something is true whether one chooses to believe it or not. ex. "Believe it or not, I still care for her."Big fish in a little sea:A person who's famous/ well-known but only in an unimportant place (city or area).(To have a) big mouth:To not be able to keep a secret. ex. "Don't tell her anything. She's got a really big mouth." Big-shot (noun/adjective):An important person. ex. "All the big-shots at headquarters never listen to what we haveto say."; "A big-shot reporter."(A) Bimbo:A foolish/empty girl. The term "male bimbo" is also used. ex. "John only talks about his car and his clothes - he's a real male bimbo."(The) birds and the bees:Sex. Human reproduction. ex. "It's about time I talked to my son about the birds and the bees."(A) bite to eat:A snack, some food. ex. "Let's go grab a bite to eat before we go to the game."(To) bite the hand that feeds you:To do harm to someone who helps you.(To) bite one's tongue:To struggle not to say something that you want to say. ex. "I wanted to tell her everything, but I had to bite my tongue because I had promised Bill I would not (tell her)."Black sheep (of the family):The worst, least accepted member of a family.(A) Blast:A great time. A fun time. "We had a blast at the party last night."(To) blow someone's cover:To reveal someone's secret, or true identity. ex. "The spy was very careful not to blow her cover."(To) break even:To neither win nor lose. ex. "Michael thought he would lose $200, but he ended up breaking even."(To) break new ground:To do something that hasn't been done before. To innovate. ex. "Dr. Davis was breaking new ground in cancer research."(To) break someone's heart:To cause someone (strong) emotional pain. ex. "Fiona broke James' heart when she refused to marry him."(To) break the news to someone/ to break "it" to someone:To tell someone some important news, usually bad news. ex. "I hate to be the one to break it to you, but your wife has been cheating on you."(To) burst into tears:To start crying suddenly.C(To) call it a day:To end work and go home. ex. "Let's call it a day. It's getting late."(To) carry a tune:To be able to sing on key (accurately). "She has an awful voice! She can't carry a tune." (To) cash in on something:To profit from something. "The actor wanted to cash in on his popularity by opening a restaurant."(A) catch:When talking about wives, husbands, girlfriends, etc., people sometimes say "He's quite a catch" or "She's quite a catch" - which means "He/she is a great partner - it's good to be in a relationship with him/her (usually because of his/her personality, money, or looks)" (To) catch someone's eye:To get someone's attention through eye contact.(A) cheap drunk:Also knows as "a cheap date". A person who becomes drunk after only one or two drinks. "Victor had one gin and tonic and was already slurring - what a cheap drunk!"(A) clean bill of health:A report from the doctor that one's health is good. Good results from a doctor's medical examination. ex. "I went in for my yearly physical and got a clean bill of health from Dr. Jones".(To) clear the table:To remove all dishes, cutlery, etc. from a table after a meal.(A) close call:Something that is close to danger or an accident. "That was a close call! The train almost hit the motorbike."Coast-to-coast:From the Atlantic to the Pacific coast in the United States. ex. "Our car made the coast-to-coast trip in 70 hours".(To) come away empty handed:To return without anything. To expect to receive something but to end up receiving nothing. ex. "The union workers came away empty handed from the negotiations." (To) come to an end:To finish. To stop. ex. "When the road came to an end, we turned left."(To) come out of the closet:To reveal that one is gay.Come to think of it:I just remembered. ex. "Hey, come to think of it, I do have a sleeping bag you can borrow."(To) come up short:To not quite achieve one's goal. ex. "The students tried to raise $1,000 for the school play,but they came up short."Come what mayWhatever happens. No matter what happens.Copycat (noun or adjective)Someone who imitates/mimics another person *not really used in a positive sense* (To) cover a lot of ground:To go through a lot of information. "We've covered a lot of ground in my English class in the past two months."(To) cover for someone:To make excuses for someone or to conceal someone's errors.(At the) crack of dawn:Right at dawn (when the sun comes up). "We left at the crack of dawn."(To) crash:To sleep. To go to bed.(To) cramp someone's style:To limit someone in some way. To limit someone from expressing themselves fully. (To) cry one's eyes out:To cry hard. ex. "When her grandfather died, she cried her eyes out for three days straight."(To) cut class:To not go to class. To skip going to class. "Jacob was a very bad student. He was always cutting class to go smoke with his buddies."(To) cut loose:To act or speak freely, without holding back ( = without restraint). "When the three of us are together we really cut loose."(A) cut above (something):Superior/ better (than something). "The commercial said that this car company is 'a cut above the rest'."D(To) die of boredom:To be very bored.(A) dead ringer:A look-alike. "He's a dead ringer for Jude Law" (He looks exactly like Jude Law).Dirt cheap:Very cheap (inexpensive). "The hotel we stayed in was dirt cheap, but our room was very nice."(A) dog's age:A very long time. "I haven't seen him in a dog's age."Don't hold your breath:Don't wait for it to happen because it probably won't. "You think David will break up with Tina? Don't hold your breath!"Don't let it get you down:Don't let it upset you. Don't allow it to make you feel bad.(To) do the dishes:To wash the dishes.(A) downer:An event that causes one to be sad. "Your girlfriend broke up with you? What a downer!" Down the drain:Wasted. Lost forever. "I tried for five years to run this business and now I'm bankrupt. Five years down the drain."(A) drag:Boring; a disappointment. "The party was a real drag" or "My car broke down... What a drag!"(To) drive a hard bargain:To be firm when bargaining about something. You drive a hard bargain = It's hard to win when bargaining with you. "You drive a hard bargain, but alright, I'll pay you $10 for the lamp."(To) drive someone crazy:To make someone very agitated, upset, or emotional (either in a good or bad way). "That teacher is so awful! He drives me crazy with his attitude."(To) drop it:To stop talking about something. "I told you to drop it! I don't want to talk about it." (To) drown one's sorrows:To get/ become drunk.(To) drop the ball:To make a mistake. (WARNING: This idiom is overused in the business world). ex. "So it was John's fault? Yes, John really dropped the ball on this one."(A) dream come true:A great thing. A dream or wish that has become reality. ex. "Living in California is like a dream come true."Down in the dumps:Sad. Depressed.(To) dump someone: (very informal)To end a relationship with someone; to break up with someone. To stop seeing someone (romantically). "She dumped me."EEarful:a strong verbal scolding. ex. "Katie's father really gave her an earful when she came home at 4 AM."Easy:Not so fast. Calm down! ex. "Easy! Don't eat so fast!"(As) easy as pie:Very easy.Easy come, easy go:PROVERB. Said to explain the loss of something that was very easily obtained in the first place.Easy-going:Tolerant. Laid-back. Relaxed.(To) eat one's heart out:To be envious or jealous. ex. "Eat your heart out Frank, I'm going to Paris!"(To) eat out of someone's hands:To do whatever someone else wants. ex. "James would do anything for Vicky. She had him eating out of her hands."(To) eat one's words:To admit that what one said was wrong. ex. "You think I won't be able to find work in one week? I'm going to make you eat your words."Elbow room:Enough space (room) to feel comfortable.Enough is enough:That is enough and there should be no more.(To) enter one's mind:To cross one's mind. To start thinking about something. "You want me to become a doctor? The thought never even entered my mind."Everything but the kitchen sink:Almost everything one can think of.Every so often:Once in while. Occasionally.Every other:Every second. Alternate. ex. "In Los Angeles, every other person is an actor." Expecting:Pregnant.F(To) face the music:To accept the (unpleasant) consequences of what you have done.(To) fall flat (on one's face):To fail. To be unsuccessful. ex. "The play fell flat on its face."Fair-weather friendA person who is only your friend when things are going well for you.(To) feel like a new person:To feel refreshed, rejuvenated.(To) fall into place:To become organized. To fit together. ex. "Once I started meditating, everything in my life began to fall into place."(To) fall short:To lack something. ex. "We tried to raise fifty thousand dollars, but we fell short by about ten thousand."(A) falling out:A disagreement/break in a friendship. ex. "We had a falling out over what she said." (A) far cry:Very different (often in a worse way). ex. "This wine is nice, but it's a far cry from the wine we had yesterday."(To) feel like a new person:To feel refreshed, rejuvenated.(To) feel out of place:To feel like you don't belong. ex. "We went to Mary's party last night. There were many strange people there and I felt a little out of place, so we left."(A) Fifth wheel:Useless, out of place, unnecessary. "There were only couples there... I felt like a fifth wheel."(To) fill someone's shoes:To replace someone. To do something someone else used to do. ex. "Cathy has been working here for 20 years. It's going to be hard to find someone to fill her shoes."(A) fine line:Not much difference. ex. "Sometimes there's a fine line between love and infatuation." First and foremost:First and most importantly.First thing:Before anything else. ex. "Call me first thing tomorrow morning."(To) fish for a compliment:To try very hard to get a compliment from someone.(To) fix someone (some food - like cocoa, oatmeal, etc.):To prepare (some food) for someone. "I'll fix you a cup of cocoa."Flat broke:Very poor. Having absolutely no money.(To) follow one's heart:To act according to your feelings/ emotions. ex. "I couldn't decide what to do so I just followed my heart."Food for thought:Something to think about.(A) fork in the road:A point when a road splits in two directions.Free and easy:Casual. Not very serious. ex. "Sarah was looking for a free and easy relationship."(A) fresh pair of eyes:A new reader, someone who hasn't seen something before. ex. "Hey can you come check out this report? We need a fresh pair of eyes."(A) full plate:A busy schedule. ex. "Mark can you help me with this project? Not really, I've got a full plate right now."Fun and games:Playing around. Time spent doing worthless things. ex. "OK, Neil, the fun and games are over. It's time to get down to work."G(To) get a move on:To go or do something quickly, to get going, etc. ex. "Hey if we want to make the 8:00 PM show we should get a move on."(To) get carried away:To exaggerate/ go too far/ to become emotional. ex. "I got carried away. I bought 10 shirts!" "She got carried away when she started talking about the war."(To) get caught up:To become involved, especially emotionally. ex. "I just got caught up in his plan and couldn't think straight."(To) get cold feet:To become timid or frightened. ex. "I usually get cold feet when I have to speak in public."(To) get down to business:To start working seriously. ex. "Enough playing around - let's get down to business."(To) get that all the time:To hear something constantly. ex. "Hey, you really look like Brad Pitt! Yeah, I get that all the time."(To) get one's foot in the doorTo get started in a process. To attain a favorable position which will help one work toward a goal. ex. "I'm trying to find a better job, but I can't get my foot in the door. (To) get one's fill of something:To have enough of something. To have a lot of something. ex. "She's had her fill of trouble lately."(To) get on someone's nerves:To annoy someone. To bother or irritate someone.(To) get rid of (something/someone):To eliminate. To throw away. To hide. ex. "This detergent gets rid of dirt better than any other one that I've used.", "Get rid of the cigarette - your mother's coming!"(To) get something off one's chest:To say something that has been on your mind. To say something that has been botheringyou. "Did you tell her about Hawaii? Yes, and I felt much better once I got that off my chest."(To) get the blues:To become sad or depressed.(To) get something straight:To clarify something. To understand something clearly.(To) give someone a call:To call someone (on the telephone).(To) give someone the benefit of the doubt:To believe in someone despite information that makes them seem guilty of something. ex. "Hey, don't believe the rumors - give him the benefit of the doubt."(To) give someone a piece of one's mind:To bawl someone out. To let someone know how one really feels. "After that driver took my parking spot, I really gave him a piece of my mind."(A) go-getter:an aggressive employee, a hard worker. "Jim is a real go-getter. He's always taking the initiative."(To) go Dutch:When a group of people go out and everyone pays for him/herself.(To) go overboard:To do too much. To exaggerate. "They really went overboard with the party preparations." (To) go up in flames:To burn. To be consumed in flames.(To) go over something with a fine toothed comb:To go over something very carefully, esp. checking for errors. "Here's the report - Make sure to go over it with a fine toothed comb."(To) go to someone's head:To make someone overly conceited or proud. ex. "That award that he won really went to his head."(To) a golden opportunity:A good chance to succeed, a good investment. ex. "I didn't have money to buy that restaurant. I missed a golden opportunity."HHalf-baked:Foolish.Hand-me-down:Usually said of clothing that has been passed on from one person to another. ex. "A hand-me-down dress."Hands down:Easily. By far. ex. "She is hands down the most beautiful girl in class."Hang on:Be prepared for fast and/or rough movement.(To) hang on someone's every word:To listen very carefully to someone. ex. "Grandpa was telling a story and the kids were hanging on his every word."(To) hate someone's guts:To hate someone very much. (To) have a big mouth:To be a gossiper. To be a person who can't keep a secret. ex. "Don't tell her anything! She has a big mouth."(To) have a lot going for (someone):To have a lot of good things in one's life. To have many things working to one's benefit. ex. "She has a lot going for her - she's smart, she's attractive, she has a good job, etc."(To) have a sweet tooth:To love to eat candy or other sweets.(To) have an edge:To have an advantage.(To) have mixed feelings (about something):To be unsure or uncertain about something.(To) have one's hands full:To be busy, occupied with some kind of activity, work, etc. ex. "I have my hands full with my three children."(To) have one's heart set on something:To really want something to happen. To expect something to happen. ex. "Julie has her heart set on going to London this summer."(A) hit:A popular song or film. ex. "Titanic was a hit (movie)."(To) hit the spot:To satisfy a need exactly. To be exactly right (often said about food or drinks). ex. "That was a delicious meal - It hit the spot."(To) hit bottom:To reach the lowest point.(To) hit the road:To leave, start on a trip, etc. ex. "It's already 9:00 AM - We have to hit the road!"(To) hit a snag:To run into a problem. ex. "The project hit a snag when testing failed to produce favorable results"Hold on!Wait. "Hold on, I'll be with you in just a moment."(To be) homesickTo miss one's home, country, city, etc. "Francesca is really homesick. She really wants to go back to Italy."How on earth...? How in the world...?When asking a question, "How on earth..." and "How in the world..." emphasize the fact that something incredible or very hard to believe happened. "How on earth did you getthat job? (it was very hard to get)" "How on earth did you fix that car!? (it was impossible to fix)" etc.IIf worst comes to worst:If things get really bad. ex. "If worst comes to worst, we can always fire him."Ill-at-ease:Uncomfortable. ex. "She seemed to be ill-at-ease talking to the doctor about her problems".In bad taste:Rude. Vulgar. Obscene. ex. "John's jokes are always in bad taste."In broad daylight:Publicly visible in the daytime. ex. "This city is very dangerous. You can get robbed in broad daylight."In good shape/ condition:Physically and functionally sound and sturdy. "Shape" is generally used more for people. ex. "The car is in good condition. Bill is in good shape."In mint condition:In perfect condition (not used for people).In no mood to do something:To not feel like doing something. To not want to do something. ex. "I'm in no mood to cook dinner tonight."In season:Currently available for selling (often said of fresh fruit and vegetables). ex. "Tomatoes are very cheap now because they're in season."In stock:Available for purchase, as in goods in a store. ex. "Do you have any more of these books in stock? No, I'm sorry we don't."In the air:Everywhere. All around.In the long run:Over a long period of time. Ultimately. ex. "He smokes a lot now, and I'm afraid that in the long run it will cost him his health."In the same boat:In the same situation (usually negative).In and out:Coming in and going out often. ex. "She's been in and out all day."In with:Friendly with. Friends with. ex. "At high school he was in with the wrong crowd. That's why he always got in trouble."In advance:Ahead of time.JJam-packed:Very crowded. ex. "The stadium was jam packed on Saturday."(To) jam on the brakes:To hit/ step on the brakes suddenly to stop the car.Jack-of-all-trades:A person who knows how to do a lot of different things.(To) jump all over someone/ jump down someone's throat:To criticize or blame someone. ex. "As soon as I brought up going out with my friends, she jumped all over me."(To) jump the gun:To get something started too soon. To start too soon. ex. "We have to do a lot more work before we launch this product. We don't want to jump the gun."(To) jump at:To quickly accept. ex. "The journalist jumped at the chance to interview Madonna."Just about:Almost. ex. "I'm just about finished."Just now:Just a minute ago.Just what the doctor ordered:Exactly what is needed. ex. "This vacation is great! It's just what the doctor ordered."K(To) keep a low profile:To lay low. To not attract attention to oneself by talking loudly, dressing in flashy clothes, causing trouble, etc. ex. "The bank robbers knew that they had to keep a low profile until they crossed the border."(To) keep an eye on:To watch. To pay attention to. ex. "I have to go to the store. Can you please keep an eye on the baby for 10 minutes?"(To) keep a straight face:To force oneself not to laugh, even though one wants to. ex. "He was saying the stupidest things, and I was finding it hard to keep a straight face."(To) keep one's cool:To remain calm.(To) keep one's word:To uphold one's promise. ex. "He's a very honorable person who always keeps his word." (To) keep someone posted:To keep someone informed.(To) keep someone up:To not allow someone to sleep. ex. "The neighbors' party kept me up all night."(To) keep something to oneself:To not let others know about something. To not reveal something. ex. "Hey, don't tell anyone about your time in prison. Keep it to yourself."(To) keep track of:To maintain a record of. ex. "I don't know where all my money goes. It's hard to keep track of my expenses."(A) kept man/woman:Someone who is in a relationship where the other person pays for everything. ex. "Stephen's girlfriend always pays for everything. He's such a kept man."(To) kick back:To relax.(To) kick oneself:To regret.(To) kill time:To waste time.Knock it off!:Stop it!Knock on wood:A phrase said to cancel out (imaginary) bad luck.(To) know something inside-out:To know something completely and thoroughly. ex. "Let me show you around - I know this neighborhood inside-out."(To) know the score:To know the facts. To know how things go.Know-it-all:A person who acts like they know everything. ex. "Robert is so conceited! Yeah, he's a real know-it-all."L(A) lady-killer:A handsome man; a man who charms women. This does NOT mean "killer of ladies!" :) Last but not least:Last in order but not last in importance. ex. "Last but not least I'd like to thank myparents."Last ditch (adj.):Final (*has a slight connotation of "desperate"*). ex. "They made a last-ditch effort to win the game, but came up short."(To) lay a finger on someone:To touch someone even very slightly. ex. "If you so much as lay a finger on him, you will be in trouble."(To) lay low:SEE "Keep a low profile"(To) leave a bad taste in someone's mouth:To leave a negative impression on someone.(To) leave someone high and dry:To leave someone helpless. ex. "Don't leave me high. Don't leave me dry." - Radiohead (To) leave someone in peace/ alone:To stop bothering someone. ex. "Leave me alone! I don't want to talk to anyone." (To) let off steam:To release energy or anger. ex. "Victor went drinking, and got into a fight. That's OK, he's just letting off a little steam."(To) let someone off the hook:To release someone from responsibility. ex. "Natalie said she didn't want to wash the dishes, but her mom didn't let her off the hook."(To) let something slide:To neglect something. To ignore something. ex. "I'm going to let it slide this time, but next time be more careful!"(A) lift:A ride. ex. "She gave me a lift to the airport."Little by little:Slowly, gradually. ex. "Little by little she started to like living in New York City."(A) little off:Not quite even, normal. ex. "There was something a little off about the way she was behaving."(To) lock horns:To argue. To have a dispute. To disagree.(To) look the other way:To ignore something on purpose. ex. "In some countries, customs officials can be paid to look the other way."(A) long shot:Something that has a slim (small) chance of happening. "They might win, but it's a long-shot."(To) lose (someone):This is often used when someone is chasing someone OR being chased by someone. Ifyou're being chased by someone and you manage to get away you can say - "I lost him!" - The person chasing you can say the same thing - "I lost him" :)(To) lose one's temper:。
英语俚语（AmericanIdioms）英语俚语(American Idioms)1、the apple of one's eye：掌上明珠，珍爱的人（或物）这里的apple是指瞳孔，是眼睛里最敏感最珍贵的部分。
这条成语来自《圣经. 诗篇》第十七篇第八节："求你保护我，如同保护眼中的瞳孔。
"（Keep me as the apple of the eye.）[例]The little girl is the apple of her parents' eye. 这个小女孩是她父母的掌上明珠。
2、bad egg: 坏蛋；流氓，骗子，二流子；没出息的人此语大约于上世纪中叶在美国出现，十年后传到英国。
在比喻上，"坏蛋"也可作为腐败的象征，因为坏蛋从外表看不出来，里面却已气味难闻。
[例] Trust him nothing; he is a bad egg. 别相信他，他是个坏蛋。
3、burn one's boats (bridges): 破釜沉舟，自断退路，有进无退这句成语源自某些军事家的行动。
相传古罗马恺撒等名将出征时，常烧毁船只，士兵们后退无路，只有勇往直前，战胜敌人。
[例] "That's done it" said Manby, tearing up the agreement. "Now we've burned our boats behind us and we've no option but to go forward with the project.""事已如此，"曼贝一边说，一边撕掉协议书，"现在我们已破釜沉舟，除按计划前进外，别无选择。
"4、castle in Spain (the air)空中楼阁，白日做梦来自法语chateauxen Espangne.为什么提到西班牙？可能因为西班牙一度被认为是个富于浪漫色彩的国家。
IdiomsHead1.talk a person’s head off:weary a person by too much talking2.beat one’s head againest a wall:not succeed after tryingvery hard.3.Keep one’s head:stay clam when there is trouble or danger4.Put their hands together:discuss something as a group5.hide one’s head in the sand:refuse to see or face something6.off one’s head:out of one’s sense,crazy7.make head or tail尾巴 of it:find a meaning in,understandcheek脸蛋1.speak with one’s tough in one’s cheek: not to say sincerely what one thinks or means2.trun the other cheek:be patient when injured or insulted 辱骂 by someone.neck1.break the neck:do all one possibly can,try one’s hardest2.get it in the neck:suffer a serious blow to one’s plans3.neck and neck:equal or nearly equal in a race4.save the one’s neck:save from danger or trouble5.stick one’s neck out:do something dangerous or risky6.pain in the neck: a bothersome person or eventears1.believe one’s ears:trust one’s ears2.do in one ear and out the other:be not really listened toor understand3.play by ear:play a musical instrument by remembering thetrue.4.Trun a deaf ear:refuse to listen,no pay attention5.Give an ear to:listen to6.Prick刺 up one’s ear:habe an attention suddenly roused唤醒7.About one’s ear:into complete defeat or ruinLip1.lip service:support shown by words only and not by actions2.button one’s lip:keep a secret,be quietshoulder1.cold shoulder:unfriendly treatment of a persont2.put one’s shoulder to the wheel :make a great effort oneselfor with others3.on one’s shoulders:in one’s care,as one’s responsibility4.square one’s shoulders:stand strong and ready to givebattle5.weight of the world on one’s shoulders:a very heavy loadof worry or responsibility6.shoulder to shoulder:on beside the other ,together.Hand1.Clean hands:freedom from guilt or dishonesty2.wash one’s hands of:withdraw from or refuse to be responsibility.y hands on:find, get hold of,catch4.at hand:easy to reach5.eat out of one’s hand:trust someone fully,believe someone without question.6.on the other hand:from another point of view7.have one’s hands full:have as so much work as one can do,be very busyNerve1.Get on one’s nerves:make one nervous2.Get up the nerve:build up one’s courage,become brave enoughThumb1.under the thumb of:be controlled by or obedient to some one2.twiddle one’s thumbs:sit still doing nothing3.all thumbs:awkward笨拙的,especially with one’shands,clumsy4.green thumb: a talent or gardening园艺5.turn thumbs down:say no,disapprove or reject6.thumbs up:a sign of approval or acceptance.Eye1.catch one’s eye：attract one’s attention2.shut one’s eye:refuse to see or think about3.keep an eye on:watch carefully,not stop paying attention to4.look in the eye:face bravely or without shame5.see eye to eye:hold exactly the same opinion6.the apple of one’s eye:something extremely precious to one7.in one’s mind’s eye:in the imaginationchin下巴1.keep one’s chin up:face trouble with courage, be brave2.take it on the chin:accept without complaint something badthat happens to onefinger1.burn one’s finger:get in trouble doing something and fearto do it again.2.Cross one’s finger:put one fin ger over another for goodluck.3.Finger in the pie:something to do with what happens4.Lift a finger:do something,do one’s share,help5.Sap one’s finger at :show no respect for,disregard6.Work one’s finger to the bone:work very hardFace1.pull a long face:look sad , unhappy, disappointed2.show one’s face:appear3.lose face:beambarrassed or shamed by an error or failure4.in the face of:in the presence of在前面5.make a face:make an ugly expression on one’s face6.set one’s face againest:strongly disapproveknee1.on one’s knees:begging very hard2.bring to one’s knees:force to yieldfoot1.have cold feet:be frightened or nervous2.dead on one’s feet:too tired to do more,exhausted3.keep one’s feet:keep from falling or slipping down松弛4.stand on one’s own feet:depand on oneself5.throw oneself at someone’s feet:make a public display ofserving,loving or worshiping崇拜someone6.one foot in the grave:near to deathblood1.make one’s blood boil:excite one with anger , fright,etc2.get blood from a stone:achieve the impossible3.in cold blood:without feeling, cruelly4.new blood:fresh energy and power5.draw blood:make someone feel hurt or angry6.blood is thicker than water:relatives are closer thanfriends7.have blood one’s head:carry the responsibility or guilt ofa person’s deathtoe脚趾1.on one’s toe:ready to act,alert警惕的2.step on one’s toes:offend使反感 or annoy onethroat咽喉1．Cut one’s throat:defeat or destroy someone,put an end to someone2．Jump down one’s throat:suddenly become very angery at someone3．Lump in one’s throat:a feeling so strong to make one almost sob哭泣4．At each other’s throat:fighting or quarreling 5．Have by the throat:hold in one’s power6．Stick in one’s throat:be hard or unpleasant to sayHeart1.break one’s heart：make very sad or hopeless2.by heart:by memory3.heart and soul:with all one’s affections and energies4.lose heart:feel discouraged because of failure5.open one’s heart:talk about one’s feelings honestly6.take to heart:think seriously about7.have the heart:be courageous or spirited enoughtooth1.get one’s teeth into:have something real or solid to thinkabout2.armed to the teeth：having all needed weaponsleg1.have not a leg to stand on:have no ddefense or reason2.on one’s last legs:about to fail3.pull one’s leg:to fool,trick,or make fun of one4.shake a leg:go fast,hurry5.stretch one’s leg:take a walk,get exercise by walking6.get on one’s hind legs滔滔不绝：go into a rage狂怒mouth1.keep one’s mouth shut:stay silent2.make one’s mouth water:make one very much want to eat ordrink something3.put words into one’s mouth:speak for another without right4.take the bread out of one’s mouth:take away or not give onerightful support5.heart in one’s mouth:a feeling of great fear or nervousnesss6.melt in one’s mouth :be so tender脆弱的as to be seem toneed no chewing7.live from hand to mouth：live without saving for thefuture,have just enoughflesh1.flesh and blood:close relatives2.in the flesh:oneself,personallyarm1.arm and arm:with one’s arm under or around another person’sarm2.at arm’s length:away from close contract,at a distance3.in arms:unable yet to walk,very young4.with open arms:in a warm,friendly way5.give one’s right arm:give something of great vaule6.twist one’s arm:threaten someone to make him do somethingback1.behind one’s back:without one’s knowledge or consent允许赞同2.get one’s back up:become angry or stubborn3.straw that broke the camel骆驼’s back:a small trouble whichwhich follow other troubles and makes one lose patience and be unable to bear them4.turn one’s back on:refuse to help5.with one’s back to the wall:unable to escape withoutfighting6.off one’s back:leave one alone,stop from bothering one7.get on one’s back:make insistent demands of one,becoem anannoyance or botherbone1. feel in one’s bones:have an idea or feeling but not konw why2.have a bone to pick:have cause for arguement or complaintNose1.keep one’s nose clean:stay out of trouble,do only what oneshould do2.lead by the nose:have full control of3.see beyond one’s nose:act with farseeing有远见的understanding4.turn up one’s nose at :refuse as not being good enough forone5.under one’s nose:in aeasily seen or noticeable place count noses:count the number of people in a group。
