文章转载自 21世纪英文报

我们会有这样一种感觉：英文学了那么久，可有时候歪果仁一开口，明明每个词都知道，可是组合在一起就是不懂什么意思……

1. a drop in the ocean 沧海一粟、九牛一毛，形容微不足道

如：His fee is a drop in the ocean compared with the real cost of broadcasting.

同播出的实际开支相比较，他那点酬金不过是九牛一毛。

2. actions speak louder than words 事实胜于雄辩，行胜于言

如：Stop apologizing and prove to me that I can trust you — actions speak louder than words.

别再跟我道歉了，想让我真的相信你，你得证明给我看，行胜于言。

3. add fuel to the fire 火上浇油

如：You should stop their quarrel. Don't add fuel to the fire.

你应制止他们的争论，别再火上浇油了。

4. the ball is in your court 指“轮到你了”，“该你采取行动了”

如：I have done my best to explain my position, now the ball is in your court.

我已尽量表明我的立场，现在该你采取下一步的行动了。

5. bend over backwards 不遗余力

如：Our company is bending over backwards to satisfy our customers.

我们公司尽全力让顾客满意。

有时也指投入了过多精力、帮人帮得过了，比如：

“I’ve been bending over backwards trying to solve his problems.”

“我好像帮他帮得太过了。“

6. bite off more than you can chew 不自量力，接受了超过能力范畴的任务

如：I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew with this project.

我感觉接的这个项目超出了我的能力范围。

7. by the skin of one’s teeth 指勉勉强强地完成了某事

如：我感觉自己这次考试低空飘过（差一点就挂了）……

I think I might have passed that exam by the skin of my teeth.

8. cry wolf “狼来了”，指在不需要帮助的情况下还大呼小叫求帮忙

如：My new roommate is always crying wolf.

我的新室友总是有事没事就求别人帮她。

9. cut somebody some slack 指让某人缓一缓，别那么苛责的评判

如：You need to cut the intern some slack. They are still learning.

你就让实习生缓缓吧。他们还处于学习阶段。

10. cut to the chase 直入正题，有话直说

如：Okay, let's just cut to the chase.

好了，我们还是别兜圈子了，有话直说。

11. get one’s head around something 下功夫了解某事

如：I’m going to spend tonight trying to get my head around this new legislation.

今晚我要好好了解一下这项新立法。

12. hear on the grapevine 听说小道消息

如：He'd doubtless heard rumours on the grapevine.

他无疑是听到了小道消息。

13. it takes two to tango 一个巴掌拍不响，双方都有责任

如：It takes two to tango, but I still think it was more his fault.

一个巴掌拍不响，但是我还是觉得多半是他的错。

14. miss the boat 错过机会、坐失良机

如：Jump to it, don't miss the boat.

马上去做吧，不要坐失良机。

15. a piece of cake 小菜一碟、易如反掌

如：For him, the work is a piece of cake.

对他来说，这点活儿跟白玩儿一样。

16. pull yourself together 振作起来

如：Pull yourself together! Do you want to show the white feather in front of these people?

振作起来！难道你甘愿在这些人面前示弱吗？

17. sit/be on the fence 保持中立

如：He considered that it was better for him to sit on the fence during the quarrel.

他认为在这场争吵中自己还是保持中立为好。

18. set up one’s game 提高自己的表现

如：If you want to get this promotion you’ll need to set up your game.

如果你想升职，就得好好表现了。

19. sell someone out 出卖某人

如：I asked you to keep that information to yourself. I can’t believe you sold me out.

我跟你说过这事儿别告诉别人，真不敢相信你竟然出卖我。

20. your guess is as good as mine 我也一无所知、拿不准

如：—"Do you believe they intend war eventually?"

“你认为他们最终会打仗吗？”

—" Your guess is as good as mine."

“我跟你一样拿不准。