“Egg on your face”可不是“你臉上有個蛋”的意思!
就像中文裏面有“黑話”,英語裏也有“idioms(俚語)”。
而這些俚語裏,明明句子裏每一個單詞都認識,串在一起卻變成了另一個意思。簡直就是孫子兵法中的奇招——“聲東擊西”。
而你若因為誤解而使得對話不在一個頻道上,豈不是很尬?
1. Cut from the same cloth
It means that you are very similar to someone else in the way you behave or think.
從字面上看,是“從同一件衣服上剪下來的”。其實,在漢語裏有個很相近的俚語,叫做“同一個模子裏刻出來的”。這麼説,你是不是恍然大悟了?
例:Rob and Bob are definitely cut from the same cloth.
2. Get your ducks in a row
To secure any resources or support you’ll need to launch a project.
如果你老闆叫你“get your ducks in a row”,你千萬別傻乎乎地去買幾隻鴨子排成一排嘎嘎叫,然後整個辦公室都看着你笑。其實你想想,把鴨子排好是要準備趕鴨子上架嗎?對,這句話的意思就是“準備完全然後開工”。
例:Before you pitch that idea to the CEO, definitely get your ducks in a row first.
3. Opening a can of worms
When whatever you are thinking about doing or saying would create more problems.
先別覺得噁心,這只是個比喻。其實,這裏的蠕蟲原指漁夫釣魚用的魚餌,這句話是説:漁夫可以很輕易的就把罐子全都打開,但這樣一來蟲子就都跑出來了,很難再關上。説到這裏,這句話的意思不言而喻:一個舉動引來一連串的麻煩。用漢語説就是“捅了馬蜂窩”。
例:I could do this in the name of the whole company, but I won’t because it would open up such a can of worms.
4. Throw your weight around
You use some sort of power, prestige or connections to control over the situation. (Usually said about someone else rather than yourself.)
“把你的重量四處亂丟”?這聽起來或許像是一個減肥的口號,但實際重量也可以是抽象的,比如壓力、權力。如果把權力去壓住別人,不就能掌控局面了嗎?所以,這句話就是指用權力、威望和關係四處施壓,去控制局勢,改變事情。
例:He’s pretty new in the company to be throwing his weight around like that.
A situation that is quite embarrassing. (used with the verb “to have”)
如果有誰説這句話,可不意味着他要把雞蛋放在自己的臉上表演雜技,而是臉上被丟了雞蛋,只有那些令人不滿的人才會遭遇這種對待。所以,這句話的意思就是表明某人的處境很尷尬。
例:John boasted how he would get funding for his project, and now they discontinued it. He definitely has egg on his face.
6. Turn over a new leaf
Starting fresh or starting over again.
假使老闆讓你“turn over a new leaf”,你就會撿來一片葉子,然後給它翻一面嗎?其實這是個抽象比喻,意思指某人改變自己的言行舉止,重新開始,“改頭換面”。正所謂士別三日,當刮目相看。
例:He used to date so many women, but since he fell in love with her, he’s turned over a new leaf as a one-woman guy.
7. the gloves are off
You are going to be tough, impolite, or even downright rude.
別一聽到這句話,你就真的以為“要摘手套”了。其實這句話很好理解,你就當成是中文“撩起袖子”就好了。撩袖子幹嘛?當然是生氣想動手了呀,聽到這句話就快跑吧。
例:As the trade war has become worse, the gloves are off and politicians have become so rude to each other.