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! Impoible! Out of the question/That's out of the question! Not a chance! Hopele! 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 sickne 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。
know a trick worth two of that: 有更好的办法
What you suggest is very good.But listen to me.I know a trick worth two of that.When the well's dry, we know the worth of water.We'll never know the worth of water till the well go dry.We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.She gave her heart to one who could not know its worth.No one know the worth of woman's love till he sue for alienation.You know a trick or two after twenty years in busine.Your cla made him monitor, which amounts to setting the fox to keep the geese.你们班推选他当班长，这等于是引狼人室 set a fox to keep one's geese： 引狼人室
Yes, I went there the night before last, but she was quite on the high ropes about something, and was so grand and mysterious that I couldn’t make anything of her.不错，前天晚上我到那儿去过，也不知道她为何异常得意洋洋，又威风 又神秘，弄得我莫名其妙 be on the high ropes：兴高采烈, 得意 The Squire broke in, “Don’t think that I’ll have any humble pie eaten to that fellow Bellew!" 乡绅插嘴道：“别以为我会向贝鲁这种人低声下气。”
Eat humble pie (British, American & Australian) also eat crow (American)：Act submiively and apologetically, especially in admitting an error.忍气吞生，赔礼道歉 我们原打算在妈妈生日那天给她意外惊喜，可他却泄露了秘密。
We had planned to give Mum a pleasant surprise on her birthday, but let the cat out of the bag To look like the cat that ate the canary形容一个人显得非常满足的样子。 rain cats and dogs倾盆大雨
All cats are（或look）black（或gray）in the dark./We are in the same boat.五十步笑百步或乌鸦笑猪黑。
西方人也喜欢猫，并将猫养为宠物。但是黑猫却让西方人心生恐惧，尤其是英国人，他们将黑猫与女巫联系在上起。如果是漆黑的星期五晚上碰上一只黑猫，便预示着此人会遭厄运。在英国古代的传说中，人们认为妖魔常变成黑色的动物，尤其是黑猫，还有人说黑猫就是巫婆变的。黑猫有九命，巫婆有变九次的魔法。杀死一只黑猫，她还可以再变八次。所以英语的猫还含有"心地恶毒的女人，爱说人坏话的女人"等意思。
She is a cat（她是个包藏祸心的女人）
Mrs Smith is a perfect cat（史密斯太太是个地地道道的长舌妇）
The man and his wife live a cat and dog life, and both are miserable (他们夫妻俩经常吵架，两人都感到痛苦) It‘s difficult to get a man to bell the cat（敢于在危险中挺身而出的人不容易找到） A cat has nine lives（猫有九命/自有天相）
Cats hide their claws（猫总是藏起自己的爪子/知人知面不知心）
All cats are grey in the dark （黑暗处的猫都是灰色的/人未出名时看起来都差不多） A gloved cat catches no mice（戴手套的猫抓不到老鼠/不愿吃苦的人成不了大事业） The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream（掩耳盗铃，自欺欺人） There‘s more ways than one to kill a cat（有的是办法） like a cat on hot bricks（焦躁不安，如热锅上的蚂蚁）
他决定不了究竟是上大学还是去找工作，可事实上他只能干一件，两者不能兼得。
He can’t make up his mind whether to go to college or get a job.You can't eat your cake and have it, too. To have one’s cake and eat it too ：
（eat one’s cake and have it too or simply have one’s cake and eat it ） "you can't have it both ways" and "you can't have the best of both worlds." 如果你在数学课堂上准备英语考试，那就好比是挖肉补疮
It is just like robbing Peter to pay Paul if you try to prepare for the English exam during a maths cla rob Peter to pay Paul (拆东墙补西墙 ) Fig.to take or borrow from one in order to give or pay something owed to another For example By borrowing money to meet the debt, you are just robbing Peter to pay Paul You borrow money from me to pay the bank loan.It is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.害群之马，无处不有。
There is a black sheep in every flock 饿了糠也甜，饱了蜜也咸。
Hungry dogs will eat dirty puddings 我刚来，真是“丈二和尚——摸不着头脑”！你的估计怎样？
Being new here, I'm very much in the dark myself! Let’s hear your aement of it.那二鬼子被村子里的人打得鼻青脸肿。
The puppet soldier was beaten black and blue by the villagers 我看见火车朝他们开来，还没来得及喊，它已经撞上了其中一人。
I saw the train coming towards them.Before I could say Jack Robinson，it had hit on one of them.He ran off before I could say Jack Robinson．
As I walked into the kitchen the cat jumped out of the window before you could say Jack Robinson．
她有一次解释她为何嫁给比她矮小很多的人。她说：“他虽然矮一点, 但他不但仁慈而且精力充沛，工作又勤奋。所谓身小会文国家用，大汉空长做什么？ She once explained why she married him so much shorter than her.“He may be a bit short,’’
she said,” but he's not only kind, but very energetic and hardworking.Better short and sweet than long and lax .”
short and sweet: brief and to the point；without de lay 简短扼要；不拖延
The politician’s speech was surprisingly short and sweet；it only lasted ten minutes． The students appreciated the fact that the teacher made the exam short and sweet． 我平日和你说话，你全当耳边风。
But let whatever I say go in one ear and out the other.How many times have I told you to get to work on time? But my words just go in one ear and out the other.So I don’t have any choice but to fire you.Whatever you say to him goes in at one ear and out at the other.The teacher's directions to the boy went in one ear and out the other.Since his mind was already made up, my arguments went in one ear and out the other.他认为这些美丽的中国画是连城之璧。
He thinks that these beautiful traditional Chinese paintings are beyond price (rare and valuable) 他是个不中用的货，又不会种田，又不会作生意，坐吃山空，把些田地都弄得精光。
This fellow was a good-for-nothing； he could neither till the land nor trade.He just sat at home eating until he had eaten up all his property 现在国家正当多事之秋，那王公大臣只是恐怕耽处分，多一事不如少一事。 Now the country is in peril, yet the nobles and high officials are only afraid of being punished, and their policy is to let sleeping dogs lie. It's better to save trouble.; the le trouble the better; avoid trouble whenever poible; don't meet trouble halfway If I were you, I would not tell Nellie you saw her husband having lunch with another woman.It might have been perfectly innocent, but I'd let sleeping dogs lie. Better let sleeping dogs lie.The bo likes Peter so much, and you are just like fish in a big pond.Be smart and stay quiet until your chance comes.
Practice 2 Remain where you are till I return; be as still as a mouse.你呆在此处等到我回来，静静地不要弄出声响 。
John, a timid middle-aged mickey mouse who was afraid of crowds，people， anything.约翰，一个胆小的微不足道的中年人，他怕人多，怕同人接触，什么都怕
If the mountain will not come to Mahomet，Mahomet must go to the mountain.(谚语〉事不将就人，人就得将就事。（他不迁就你，你就得迁就他） You needn't pay the bill.It's my turn to stand Sam.你不必付账。这次轮到我做东。
He rose again and toured the dishevelled room.The man at the other table raised his head, ”You seem a bit on your toes.”
他又站起来在乱糟糟的房间里踱来踱去，在另一餐桌旁的那个人抬起 头来说：“你看上去有些坐立不安。
on one's toes: stay alert and ready for action.Keep on your toes, lads, the attack is expected at any moment.It keeps your brain on its toes.A toadeater is one who eats somebody's toads.马屁精是拍某人马屁的人
If you do it, it means that you are setting the tortoise to catch the hare.你若做它，这意味着你在做不可能做到的事
He has an old head on young shoulders ； at one moment he is a scampish boy, and at another a resolute man.他少年老成：一会儿是个淘气的小孩，一会儿是刚毅果断的男子汉
He talks about nothing but money —— It's becoming a King Charles' head! 他只谈到了钱——钱成了他不离口的话题
当有人对我提出另一个工作时，我进退维谷，因为我仍然对我的老板怀有极大的忠心。
I was on the horns of a dilemma when I was offered another job because I still felt a great deal of loyalty to my bo.钱先生周岁时“抓周”，抓了一本书，因此得名“钟书”。（舒展文《钱钟书与杨绛》〉
When Qian was just one year old, he was told by his parents to choose one thing among many others, he picked up a book of all things.Thereupon his father very gladly gave him the name: Zhongshu ( = book lover) 谚曰：“桃李不言，下自成蹊”。此言虽小，可以喻大。
The peach and plum trees can not talk, yet a path is trodden out to them.This simple saying conveys a wealth of meaning.真是一说曹操，曹操就到！老无赖来了！杰克，你已经订婚了，是不是？
Well, speak of the wolf (and he will appear) ！ Here is the old scoundrel！ Is that right, you've gotten yourself engaged, Jack? 许多家长太溺爱孩子了，这样反而害了他们。他们给孩子们太多的钱，太多的自由，这样很容易导致少年犯罪。
A great many parents are killing their children with kindne by giving them too much money and freedom.This may lead to juvenile delinquency.
Practice 3 Guards knew when blue devils had seized the inmates of these cages, they couldn't eat.看守们知道，牢笼里的人忧郁沮丧时，饭就吃不下。
Being out of health, she was sorely afflicted with the blue devils.由于身体不好，她变得极为忧郁。 blue coat警察 blue jacket水手 blue-blooded高贵的 blue stocking女才子 a bluemoon稀罕的事 in a bluemood情绪低落 blue baby天生苍白的小孩 a blue blood出生高贵的人 blue talk色情言语、污言秽语 to have the blue忧伤、伤感 the blue moon千载难逢的机会
“ Where's the fire，dear boy?” he drawled，“ Do you really have to run for it?” “干嘛这么急，老弟？”他慢吞吞地说，“难道我们非跑步不可吗？”
I can’t live this life of milk and water.I must get excited somehow — or I shall burst! 我无法过这种毫无生气的生活。我得设法兴奋一下，否则我受不了！ Each bit the thumb but neither dared say he bit it at the other.他俩互相瞧不起，却又不敢公开承认。
It is much cry and little wool with him.To hear him talk you would think he was the world’s greatest artists; actually they're very mediocre.他说得好可做得差。听他讲话觉得他似乎是世界上最了不起的艺术 家，实际上乃平庸之辈也 。 A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country.先知在故乡无人尊敬；本地姜不辣
The new chief justice, Sir Robert Wright was ignorant to a proverb.这位新任大法官罗伯特爵士的无知，是尽人皆知的。
Millions of people have lived near or below the breadline for almost two decades.差不多20年了，生活在贫困线以下或温饱问题还没有解决的人口仍有 几百万。 John's letter doesn’t make sense ； it is neither rhyme nor reason.约翰的信写得一点也不明白，简直莫名其妙。
I has croed the Rubicon，and refused to give him what he wanted.我巳采取断然措施，拒绝给他所要的东西。
International preure may be able to prevent the country croing the Rubicon to authoritarian rule.It was a real feather in his cap for the new teacher when he was made head of the history department.对这位新老师来说，被任命为历史系的系主任可是一件值得骄傲的事儿。
It was no use crying over spilt milk.No use building castles in the air.What was needed was a plan---lots of plans---serious, practical, sensible plans for the new life.覆水难收，徒悔无益。空中楼阁，也没好处。需要的是规划——许许多 多的规划——为新生活而作的严肃、切实、明智的规划。
She didn't expect too much of him ； they were birds of a different feather.她没有对他指望太多;他们走不到一块去。
I am from Miouri, you've got to show me.
Several art dealers got their fingers burned on old master paintings that later turned out to be fakes
The donkey means one thing and the driver another. 不同的人有不同的观点；各人从自己的利益出发看问题。
仁者见仁，智者见智: the donkey means one thing, and the driver another./ the benevolent see benevolence and the wise see wisdom. He had walked two miles through the pouring rain, and arrived at our house looking like something the cat's brought in. 他在倾盆大雨中走了两英里，到我们家时浑身沾满泥浆，一副精疲力尽 的样子。 我要见到确实证据才相信；我是不见不信。
John can be relied on.He eats no fish and plays the game.约翰为人可靠，他既诚实又正直。
That is a tall story about the town's street.有关这城主街的说法实在令人难以置信
Listening to claical music is my cup of tea.古典音乐我最爱听。 One’s cup of tea You could always get him to go for a walk.Hiking was just his cup of tea.Chemistry, not art, is my cup of tea.My uncle sent me a novel written by Balzac.That’s just my cup of tea.This is a fine kettle of fish ！ I forgot my book.真糟糕，我的书忘了带了。
There I was, stuck on a lonely road 50 miles from home, after I was stupid enough to lock myself out of my car.It was dark and not a house in sight.A fine kettle of fish, I tell you! He left a fine kettle of fish behind.We couldn't find out what our money had been spent for; we couldn’t tell which members had paid their dues, and the rent wasn't paid.What a me! To have other fish to fry.Honey, they want me to run for Congre, but I said no.I have other fish to fryyou look like something the cat dragged in! She is head and shoulders above the rest of the cla in singing.在唱歌方面，她比班上其他人强得多
head and shoulders above someone or something This wine is head and shoulders above that one. John stands head and shoulders above Bob.If he were down in the mouth, one could feel sorry for him.But he looks as pleased as Punch with himself.他要是愁眉苦脸，人们倒会可怜他，可是他却满开心地自得其乐呢。 down in the mouth ：口语，“沮丧的”，“颓丧的”，“气馁的” be as pleased as Punch "gloomy at the thought of what he had to face"; "gloomy predictions"; "a gloomy silence"; "the darkening mood"; "lonely and blue in a strange city"; "depreed by the lo of his job"; "a dispirited and resigned expreion on her face"; "downcast after his defeat"; "feeling discouraged and downhearted" If he were seen it was dollars to doughnuts that he would be arrested.若当时他被人瞧见，十拿九稳他会被捕。
It’s dollars to doughnuts:相差悬殊，十有八九
I will bet you dollars to doughnuts there will be no rains tomorrow.It is dollars to doughnuts that Wang is not expecting us tonight Dollars to doughts they have forgotten about their appointment with us.two doughnuts and coffee
贼臣董卓，将欲篡位；朝中文武，无计可施。
Here is how matters stand ： the traitor Dong Zhuo is preparing to seize the throne, and our civil military officials have no means to prevent him. 虽然他非常有才能，但他非常谦虚不摆架子，故他树敌不多，所谓大智若愚，大巧若拙。
He has made few enemies, even though he's very brilliant， because he’s so modest and unauming.It is a great talent to be able to conceal one's talents. 大智若愚，大巧若拙：
He knows most who speaks least. It is wisdom sometimes to seem a fool. Greatest genius often lies concealed. A man of great wisdom often appears slow-witted [stupid]. Men of great wisdom often appear slow-witted. Cats hide their paws. Still waters run deep. 假使你希望约翰工作愉快，你最好给他加薪；否则他将辞职；所谓三天不吃饭，什么事都敢干
You should give John a raise in salary if you expect him to be happy at his work; otherwise, he might quit.A hungry man is an angry man. “不到黄河心不死，哈哈哈！”李秘书突然大声笑了。
“ Won't quit until we drive them into the sea — Ha, Ha, Ha!" Commiioner Li burst into hearty laughter. Until all is over ambition never dies.；
not to stop until one reaches the Huanghe River not stop until one reaches one's goal 你别狗仗人势欺侮人，争权夺利，勾心斗角的事我不干。
You don’t bully others on the strength of your bo; I won't scramble for power and profit and intrigue against others.狗仗人势：be a bully with the backing of a powerful person 争权夺利:to scramble for power and wealth 勾心斗角:intrigue against each other 两雄相遇，必有一搏。
It will certainly be an exciting match when Greek meets Greek.他们的后台总是靠不住的，一旦树倒猢狲散，全局就改观了。
Their wire-pulling boes are not reliable ； once the tree falls, the monkeys on it will flee helter-skelter, and the whole situation will change.他们说连他放个屁都是香的。
They say a Ruian fart is fragrant 这才是“知人知面不知心”呢。那里有这样禽兽的人。
You can know a man’s face but not his heart.I’ll show the beast ！ We may know a man's exterior but not his heart.It is impoible to judge a man's heart from his face. One may know a person for a long time without understanding his true nature. You know a man or you recognize him when you see him, but you don't know what he is at heart.You may know a person's face, but not his heart.亲身经历，胜过旁人教诲。
Wit bought is better than wit taught.千里之堤，溃于蚁穴。
Slight negligence may lead to great disaster.A small leak will sink a great ship.(小漏水也会沉大船) 不尝黄连苦，哪知蜜糖甜。不要总以为天下乌鸦一般黑。
Who has never tasted bitter, knows not what is sweet.But don‘t always be thinking “in every country dogs bite.Evil people are samely bad all over the world.in every country dogs biteDogs bite in every country 人人负责，无人负责。艘公多了会翻船。
Everybody's busine is nobody's busine.Too many cooks may spoil the soup 有事只管来找我。
Come to see me whenever you need any help.不要以为它太贵了。（快来买呀，）过了这个村就没这个店了。 Please don't think it is too much.So it is now or never.子曰：“无欲速，无见小利。欲速则不达，见小 利则大事不成。”
Confucius said, “Don't wish for speed； don't see small advantages.If you wish for speed, you won't succeed ； if you see small advantages, great things will not be accomplished.” Haste makes waste fool's haste is no speed More haste, le speed.The more haste, the le speed. 1.The hotels were all full，so we had to pig it in an old hut for the night.旅社均已客满，我们不得不挤在一个又脏又旧的棚屋里过夜。 2.Let sleeping dogs lie.Why, these people are kittle cattle to shoe.别惹是生非。哎，这些人都是难对付的人 Be kittle cattle to shoe: 难以对付的人
3.The bandits seemed to have got away with no trouble at all, the police had jam on their faces this time.匪徒们似乎很顺利地逃脱了，警察部门这次可丢脸了。
If you say that someone has jam on their face, they appear to be caught, embarraed or found guilty.lie on one's face 脸朝下躺下...Just put your John Henry on that Check and then take it to the bank.请你在支票上签个名，然后把它拿到银行去。
4.Money makes the mare go.You can secure your ends with one hundred pounds.有钱能使鬼推磨，用100英镑你就能达到目的。
Secure one‟s position:稳住阵脚
5.The accused knew that he had to bite the bullet until he was proved innocent.被告知道在证明他是无辜的以前，他只得咬紧牙关忍受。 bite the bullet：原意：咬住子弹
引伸义：咬紧牙关挺过去
6.When he entered our college four years ago，he was as poor as Job, but now he has become a millionaire.当他4年前进我们学院时，他穷得家徒四壁，可现在成了百万富翁。
As poor as Job:一贫如洗，家徒四壁。
7.Two may keep counsel when the third's away.没有不泄露的秘密；没有不透风的墙（有意无意的被流传开去，也有意无意的伤了人）。
8.He is a real Jekyll and Hyde：at home he's kind and loving，but in busine he's completely without principles.他是个真的具有双重人格的人；在家和蔼可亲，可在生意场上，他却完全不讲道义。
9.That was not asking much, and yet .…he could not help thinking it was like asking for the moon. 这样要求本来并不过分，可是……他们却不由得想，这简直是异想天开。
Ask for the moon: to want something that you cannot reach or have; to try for the impoible，异想天开
10.He has good reason to believe in you, for you are as kind a man as the sun shines on.他完全有理由相信你，因为你是世上少有的好心人（或打起灯笼也找不到的好心人）。 11.Sir, I am only just getting well of a fever, and I am as weak as water. 先生，我髙烧才好，身体非常虚弱。 As weak as water:浑身没劲儿
to be in hot water/in deep water：陷入困境 water over the dam：木已成舟，既成事实
as weak as water：身体非常虚弱；意志薄弱；性格懦弱 fish in troubled/muddy waters：混水摸鱼；趁火打劫 in rough / troubled water：灾难深重 spend like water：挥霍无度
12.He was a man not yet forty years of age，with still much of the salt of youth about him.他不到40岁，仍有着不少青年人的朝气。 the salt of youth:青年人的热情
Try translating the following into English 1.袖手旁观，守株待兔。
Standing by with folded arms and waiting for gains without pains 2.失之东隅，得之桑榆。
What you lose on the swings you get back on the roundabouts.英译lose at sunrise and gain at sunset我觉得一些看上去很健康的女孩子施以浓妆，实在是多此一举。
I always feel that it would simply be to gild the lily for some health-looking young girls to make up their faced so heavily.3.妈妈说我最好离开厨房，因为她不需要我帮忙。我在那儿碰这撞那，反而碍事。
Mum said that I‟d best/had better leave the kitchen because she didn't need my help and I was like a bull in a china shop there.4.月满则亏，水满则溢。
The moon waxes only to wane, water brims only to overflow.月满则亏，说明：月亮圆了，接着就会慢慢的变成月牙。水满则溢，说明：盛水的容易内水满了，再注水就会溢出来啦。比喻做什么事情到了极点都会慢慢衰退的。 The Origins Jekyll and Hyde Jekyll and Hyde源于苏格兰作家R.L.史蒂文森1886年发表的作品《化身博士》（Doctor Jekyll and Mr.Hyde),该作品所描写的是一个具有双重对立人格的人：一是善良的Dr Jekyll，一是邪恶的Mr Hyde。结合起来就是一个具有双 重对立人格的人。汉译时，译着“两面派，具有善恶双重人格的人” Sword of Damocles Sword of Damocles出自古代希腊的一则历史故事。精通古希腊历史、文 学的罗马杰出作家与政论家西塞罗（106BC-43BC)在其论文《图斯库拉的话》 屮写道：“公元前4世纪的西西里岛上叙拉克的统治者狄奥尼修斯一世(406BC -367BC)有个亲信的名字叫达摩克里斯，他很羡慕帝王的柰华生活，常说: “君王是人世间最幸福的人。”狄奥尼修斯为了教训这个想得君位者，在一次宴会上，要他坐在国土的宝座上。当他猛然抬头，只见头顶上有一把用头发悬着 的宝剑，随时都有刺到头顶的危险。他吓得战战兢兢，如坐针毡，时刻提心吊 胆，惶惶不安。由于该成语用来比喻临头的危险或情况的危急，因此可汉译为 “千钧一发"，但也可译为“达摩克里斯的宝剑” Burn one’s boats (bridges为美国人使用）源于一则历史故事0 古罗马朱力斯•凯撒大军乘船越过Rubicon后就把船烧了，以此向士兵指明后 路已断不可能后退。现借用来比喻“不留后路，下定决心干到底”。可汉译为 “破釜沉舟"。 Homer sometimes nods.此语可译为“智者千虑，必有一失”。用来比喻 “伟人有时也会出错”。源自古罗马著名诗人贺拉斯（65BC4BC)写的《诗艺》： “我认为居然可敬的荷马也打瞌睡（Even Homer sometimes nods)o这是羞愧的 事，但在如此长久的写作中，睡意袭来时，打一下瞌睡未尝不可/这里同时值 得一提的是荷马（Homer)这位曾得到马克思极高评价的古希腊的伟大诗人，他 曾写过两部性界著名的史诗：《伊亚特》与《奥德赛》。这两部史诗无论从艺术 技巧或者从历史、地理、考古学和民俗学方面讲都有很大的艺术价值，有“永久 的魅力”，是“一种规范和高不可及的范本”。 Hobson's choice 此语可译为“毫无选择的余地。”源自英国《观察家》杂 志H12年第509期。Hobson是6世纪英国剑桥地区驿站老板。按规定驿站都 向顾客出租马匹，他因喜欢自己的马匹而坚持按固定的顺序轮流将马出租。顾 客到马厩去牵马时，不论该马如何即牵即走，无商量的余地。如顾客不服从, 就只得自认倒霉。Hobson毫不徇私情，非叫顾客用该马不可，否则就别想有马 骑。因而，老板的这种怪癖叫人不敢和他讨价还价了。
1.I went on a bat in his room, and we smoked and drank till three.我到他的房间里去狂欢，我们在那里又抽烟又喝酒，一直到清晨三点。 go on a bat 纵酒取乐，酗酒胡闹 go out on a bat 酗酒胡闹
go to bat [美国俚语]被判入狱，判刑
on one's own bat [俚语] 通过自己的努力；靠自己的力量
blind as a bat [口语]近乎全盲的；视力很差的，眼力不行的；鼠目寸光的；完全看不见东西的 like a bat out of hell [俚语] 如飞地，飞速地；不顾一切地，鲁莽地，胡来地
2.Are you running with the hare and hunting with the hounds? You‟re either for us or against us.Which is it? 你两面讨好吗？你要么赞成我们，要么反对我们。究竟是哪一种态度？ Hare也叫jackrabbit或jack rabbit，不打洞（burrow/warren），而是在地面坑（depreion）里或窝（form）。出生带毛（furred），眼睛睁开。Rabbit是住在洞里的，出生没毛，不能睁眼；家养的通常住在小木屋（hutch）中。Hare比rabbit体型大，耳朵更长，有黑色斑点（marking），不群居，没有被人类驯化（domesticated），所以可以叫„野兔‟。一岁以下的hare叫leveret。一群叫drove。Rabbit可以翻译为„家兔‟，但有的也叫hare，因为长相接近，但实际上还是rabbit，如Belgian Hare.“兔”在中国人心中可谓形象复杂，有好的一面，如“形如脱兔”（比喻动作快捷）；也有差的一面，如“狡兔三窟、兔子尾巴长不了”。对外国人来说，rabbit的形象可不美。a rabbit意为a person who plays a game badly（蹩脚的运动员———尤指网球运动员）；在俚语中，hare指坐车不买票的人。 run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
hunt是“追捕、猎杀”的意思，hound指“猎狗”，它的拼写是h-o-u-n-d，字面意思就是“和兔子一起奔跑的同时派猎狗追赶”，既想得到兔子的信任又想猎杀兔子，也就是“两面讨好”。
这个“两面讨好”和我们汉语里讲的“两面派”（two-faced）意思可不一样，我们来看一个例子：
They want to keep the peace and have everyone happy.For this reason they learn very quickly to run with the hares and hunt with the hounds; to side with whoever is nearest in a relentle quest to avoid rows.
他们希望保持平稳并且让大家都高兴，所以很快了学会讨好的方法。为了避免冲突他们就站在不断提要求的人那边。
大家体会出这两个说法的不同了吗？two-faced一般指当面一套，背地又一套的伎俩，而run with the hare and hunt with the hounds 则指人两面讨好，不得罪任何一方的做法。
3.In ancient times if a man‟s eye was put out by his enemy, he might get his revenge by paying him backing his own coin.古时候某人的眼睛若被敌人挖出，他一定要挖出敌人的眼睛作为报复。这就是以其人之道还治其人之身。 pay sb back in his own coin eye for eye tooth for tooth
4.He went on throwing open doors, and peeping in.Everything was in apple pie order, ready for immediate occupation.他继续将各扇门打开朝里窥视：一切井井有条，马上就可住进去。 in apple pie order 有条不紊，井然有序
这个习语的由来尚有争论。在美国，有人认为它产生在新大陆移民时期。那时，家庭主妇要烤苹果派时，需将苹果一片片切成同样的大小，这样烘烤出来的苹果派才会香酥可口。所以这个习语用来形容东西摆放得整整齐齐，井然有序。
Her room is always in apple pie order.他的房间总是整整齐齐的。 apple of love 爱情的苹果
这个习语源于殖民时期的南美洲。当时在秘鲁的丛林中，生长着一种叫“狼桃”的水果。这种水果色泽光亮、鲜艳，形状和苹果十分相似。但人们认为这种水果是一种毒果，没人敢吃，只把它作为观赏植物加以栽培。后来有人冒着生命危险，勇敢地品尝并证实了它的美味。到了16世纪，英国有一位公爵游历到了秘鲁，非常喜欢这种水果，于是，他把它们带回英国皇宫，作为珍贵的礼品献给他心目中的爱人——当时的英国女王伊丽莎白。这种水果，实际上就是西红柿。从那以后，西红柿在异国他乡的土地上得到广泛种植，被人们称为“爱情的苹果”。如今，这一短语可喻指“爱情的信物”。 例：Hey, don't touch that bike.It's my apple of love.嗨，别动那辆自行车。它可是我的爱情信物 as American as apple pie 典型的美国人的性格 美国人向来喜欢吃苹果馅饼（apple pie），也就是我们常说的“苹果派”。这是一种用烤箱制作的甜点，外面裹着一层面粉，里面包着苹果做的馅儿。美国人喜爱吃苹果派的嗜好始于他们刚从欧洲移居到美洲来的时候。那时每个家庭主妇都经常自己动手做苹果派。为了说明苹果派是美国生活方式的一个特点，人们常说：as American as apple pie。这个习语的意思是：就像苹果派一样具有美国特色。
例句：Japanese sushi and Vietnamese spring rolls have become as American as apple pie.日本寿司和越南春卷都已经变成像苹果派一样的美国食品了
5.“Why didn't the chap come? …Can't kick my heels here for ever," thought John.那家伙怎么没来？我可不能老在这儿等下去了。”约翰想
kick your heels： (British) to be forced to wait for a period of time (usually in continuous tenses) Wait impatiently to be summoned.Origin：The kicking of heels alludes to the toe shuffling and foot tapping that people resort to when they are impatient at having to wait for something.It is an 18th century phrase and is first cited in a work by the appropriately named Samuel Foothe has no idea of how to even start the job.Why, my nine-year old daughter knows more about computers than he does! 他说：我跟你说，Ed，这个人简直乳臭未干，他甚至连这工作怎么着手干都不知道。嘿，我九岁女儿对电脑的了解都比他要多。
这里的wet behind the ears，相当于中文里的“乳臭未干的，” 用来形容某人幼稚无知 3.在那个国家，很多人感到60年代初的种族隔离是件棘手之事。
In that country, many people found racial segregation a hot potato in the early '60s.美国人很喜欢吃土豆，特别是刚从烤箱里拿出来的一个个热气腾腾的土豆。下面我们要介绍的一个俗语是hot potato。大家都知道hot的意思是热或烫，potato就是土豆。热的土豆固然好吃，但是它会烫你的手，你会想法马上甩掉的。 Hot potato作为俗语，它的意思就是一个争论很激烈的问题，没有一个人愿意为它承担责任。例如：The question of whether to raise taxes to cut the budget deficit is a real hot potato for a lot of politicians.是否用增加税收的方法来减少预算赤字的问题对于许多政客来说是一个棘手的问题。 下面这个例子是一位律师在给另一位律师提供建议：
If I were you, I'd drop that client like a hot potato; he's always suing somebody for something, but he usually loses and he doesn't pay his lawyer's bills.要是我是你的话，我就把你那个顾客马上甩掉。他老是为了什么事去告别人，可是他总是输给别人，他还往往不付律师费。
英语potato一词特别有意思。不仅因为sweet potato（甜土豆）即是“白薯（山芋）”，这样的命名特别有趣，而且potato常可用以指人，例如small potatoes原意是“鸡毛蒜皮等微不足道的东西”，但更多用以指“小人物”“微不足道的人”（类似上海方言“萝卜头”）。“He is a small potato.”也常被学生作为口头禅，拿来互相取笑。
Hot potato可指“麻烦的事”、“棘手的问题”或“难对付的人”，类似中文 “烫手的山芋”，例如The subject of police brutality is a hot potato.（警察暴行的话题是一个棘手的问题。）
短语the clean potato指“最正确、最适当的事物”，也可以指“正派的人”、“规矩的好人”。而反过来，not the clean potato则意为“形迹可疑的人”。
作为一种常见的食品，potato在美国俚语里也有很多体现。比如，potato常指“头”或“难看的脸”；potato-trap指“嘴”；potato-head则指“傻瓜”（土豆是没有脑子的）；而potato digger则指“古板守旧、不受欢迎的人”（大概是由在地里掘土豆的农民形象转化而来的）。
上世纪90年代初出现了一个新的短语couch potato，专指“吃饱饭后成天窝在沙发上看电视的人”，非常形象。（顺便提一下，英美人很少用sofa一词，长沙发叫couch ，单人沙发则叫armchair。） 随着电脑的普及，近来一个与potato有关的新短语流行开来，即mouse potato（这里的mouse不是“老鼠”，而是“鼠标”），专门指“整天坐在电脑前的电脑迷”。这一词条已被正式收录在2006年版的《韦氏大学词典》（Webster Collegiate Dictionary）的100个新词语中。笔者相信，今后还会有更多“新土豆”的出现。
4.他同意独自完成这项工程，简直是蛇吞象。
He bit off more than he could chew when he agreed to finish this project alone He bit off more than he could chew.他说得多，做得少。
他承诺太多他办不到的事情。 用意译：“思想的巨人，行动的矮子！”
5.我只是告诉你，和他打交道的惟一方法就是与他面对面展开斗争。
I simply wanted to tell you that the only way to do busine with him was to beard the lion in his den.beard the lion in his den：入虎穴取子(老虎头上捉虱, 太岁头上动土)
6.对于诗我读得不多。要读的时候，我总是宁可选择过去的佳作，而不要当代的次品。 .Of poetry I don't read much and when I do I choose the dead lion in preference to the living dog.A living dog is better than a dead lion．(下贱而活着比高贵而死了的强。) 将对应的两个成分拆开并在句中重作安排，分别喻指“过去的佳作”(死狮)和“当代的次品”(活狗)，形成强烈对比，表现力强。
7.现在最好不要向老板讲，因为你没有遵守限期，他正在气头上哪。
Better not try to talk to the bo now, He's as mad as a wet hen because you didn't meet your deadline.as mad as a wet hen:非常生气
8.有些人在上火车的时候，不等乘客下车就一拥而入，这种行为真叫我生气。
It gets me goat the way some people push onto a train before the paengers on board can get off When someone says the phrase “something or other really gets my goat,” they mean that they are extremely irritated.A wide variety of things could contribute to irritation, ranging from someone else's actions to a series of events, but, despite the turn of phrase, goats are not usually involved.Like many colorful idioms in the English language, the origins of “get my goat” are murky, difficult to pin down, and actually rather fascinating, for people who enjoy exploring language.9.我们公司规定的试用阶段，目的在于区分能够胜任工作和不能胜任工作的人。
The purpose of our company^ trial employment period is to separate the wheat (the sheep) from the chaff (the goats).separate the sheep from the goats (British, American & Australian) also sort (out) the sheep from the goats (British & Australian)
to choose the people or things of high quality from a group of mixed quality I'll look through the application forms and separate the sheep from the goats.
10.他是个胆小鬼，他不可能临危不惧于关键时刻。
He is a chicken and it is impoible for him to face the music at the critical moment.11.这不是任何人的错误，责任完全在我们自己身上。我们不自量力，结果把自己搞得完蛋了
It was nobody's fault but our own.We cooked our own goose by trying to bite off more than we could chew.Cook one’s goose: ruin your chances; make impoible to succeed Explanation: Used when speaking about a person or thing that makes succe impoible.Examples: Well, I cooked my goose by asking the wrong questions on the interview.- You'd better be careful when speaking to her, you don't want to cook your goose by saying something insensitive.12.她对家谱很感兴趣。所谓自己无学问，莫把祖宗夸；我认为对一个人的评价源于其本身所为，而非其祖先。 She's showed great interest in genealogy [,dʒi:ni'ælədʒi] (family tree).But mules boast much that their ancestors were horses; I think a person's value derives from what he does, not from what one of his ancestors might have been 13.与过去相比，小康之家逐渐多了起来。
Compared with the past, there is an increasing number of well-to-do families. Say something about the origins of the following.Adam’s profeion Adam's profeion此语源自莎士比亚：《哈姆雷特》第五场，译为“园艺，农艺”。Shakespeare 在第五场中写道：There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners, ditchers, and grave makers ；they hold up Adam's profeion.这里没有古代绅士，只有花匠、挖沟者和修墓人；他们干的是园艺。 measure for measure measure for measure.此语可译为“一报还一报；冤报冤；仇报仇；以牙还牙”。源自《圣经■马太福音》。耶稣说：“你们不要评判人，免得你们被人评 判。因为你们怎样评判人，也必然会被人怎样评判。你们用什么量器量别人，别人就必然会用什么量器来量你们。” enough to make the angles weep enough to make the angels weep.此语可译为“愚逸得使人丧失信心和希望"。源自莎士比亚剧本《一报还一报》（Measure for Measure)第2幕第2场 once in a blue moon once in a blue moon.此语的中译为“极为罕见，（机会）极少”。源于自 然科学现象。即在一定的条件下，当大气中有大小合适的微尘时，就会出现太阳和月亮均呈深蓝色的自然奇观。据科学家们分析，此种罕见景观的微尘可能 来自火山爆发，或沙漠扬尘，甚至森林大火。由于蓝色月亮和蓝色太阳出现的 机会少，所以此语具有上述译文
以小人之心，度君子之腹 “以小人之心，度君子之腹,‟可译为gauge the heart of a gentleman with one's own mean measure t 或译为 try to estimate what's in the heart of the great with the heart of the mean,语出《左传•昭公二十八年》“愿以小人之腹，为君子之 心。”后经改造，用来指某些人以自己鄙陋或卑劣的心理，去推测品德髙尚者的 胸襟。南朝宋刘义庆《世说新语•雅量》：“庚曰：„可谓以小人之虑，度君子之心。此成语涉及这样一则故事：公元前514年，晋国的执政大臣韩宣子去世，一位名叫魏舒的人继位。他将两个旧责族的田地分为10个县，派贤能有功者 去任县长。其中与他同宗的魏戊被派到梗阳县任该职。此时，有一桩官司使其 深感棘手，他即报之魏舒，让其处理。
对是，涉案一方暗中送魏舒一个女乐人，他欲将其收下。此事让魏戊知道 了，他就对大臣阎没和女宽说：“魏舒以不受贿赂而扬名各国，若收下女乐人，就没有比这更大的贿赂了。您二位一定要劝谏他。”
之后，阎没和女宽在庭院里等着魏舒的到来。吃饭的时候，魏舒就招呼他 俩一起来用餐，可他俩盯着桌上的饭菜接连叹了三次气。饭毕，魏舒就问其究 竟，并说伯父、叔父曾告诉他说，吃饭时要忘掉忧愁，刚才二位为何三次叹气呀？他们俩回答说“昨晚有人把酒赐给咱们两个小人，所以没吃晚饭，现在肚子 饿得慌，惟恐刚上的饭菜不够吃而叹气。见菜上了一半时，咱们责备6己道：„难道将军请咱们吃饭会不够吃？‟因而再次叹气。等饭菜上完，咱们俩愿意把小人的肚子当做君子的心，刚刚满足就行了！” 嫁祸于人
“嫁祸于人”可译为：①shift the blame onto ②lay one's own fault at sb else‟s door ③put one's misfortunes onto other people's shoulder.语出《史记•赵世 家》，对曰：“夫秦蚕食韩氏地，中绝不会相通，固自以为坐而受上党之地也。 韩氏所以不人秦者，欲嫁其祸于赵也。”这则故事说的是：公元前262年，韩囯 上党守将冯亭派使者到赵国，便对孝成王说：“咱韩国已无法守住上党了，它似 就要并人秦国了。但上党的官吏与百姓均愿归属赵国，而不愿归属秦国。上党 有城池17座，希望大王来管辖”。 赵孝成王闻之喜形于色，即召见平阳君赵豹并询问其看法。赵豹答曰： “圣人视无缘无故而得到为大祸害。” 孝成王反问道“天下人为我的恩德所感召，为何说此乃无缘无故而得 利呢？”
赵豹道：“秦国一直在蚕食韩国的土地，并早已认为轻易地得到上党这块 地方。韩国之所以不想把上党交给秦国而交给赵国，是打箅把祸害转到我们赵国身上。秦国付出了辛苦，却未得到它，而咱赵国却白白得到了，这怎能说非 无缘无故得了利呢？大干一定不要接受。” 孝成王不悦地说：“如今派百万大军去进攻，一年半载也不一定能得到一 座城池，现在人家送来17座城池之大礼于我，这可是大利呀！”后来孝成王因接受了这份礼物而引发了秦赵间的一场大战。
