1. take in on the chin 忍辱負重
注解:源自拳擊運動。chin指拳擊手的下巴。take it on the chin原指拳擊手的下巴承受住對手的打擊,沒有被擊倒?,F在喻義為“勇敢承受痛苦,不灰心,不氣餒”。
A: What a police officer!
B: I’ve never seen such a scene either except in films.
A: It’s really unimaginable. The police officer screamed at the driver and used bad language, but the driver took it on the chin.
A: 什么警察!
B: 除了在電影里我也沒見過這種情景。
A: 真不可思議。那個警察對司機大喊大叫,還污言穢語,可那位司機都忍了。
2. take the cake (biscuit) 最壞不過;再妙不過
注解:此語源于黑人圍餅跳舞,優勝者得到一個大餅的獎勵。這條習語一般用于表示驚奇、不相信等。它含有諷刺意味,諷喻愚蠢、荒謬或強暴的行為。
A: We have to work on Saturday, too.
B: Are you sure? Who told you this?
A: I’m sure. I heard the manager told the secretary by myself.
B: Well, that really takes the cake.
A: Yeah, but we have no choice.
A: 我們星期六也得加班。
B: 你確定嗎?誰說的?
A: 確定,我親耳聽見老板對秘書說的。
B:那確實是糟糕透頂。
A: 就是,可我們也沒辦法。
3. take pot luck 吃家常便飯
注解:按字面意思講,這條習語是指從爐火上的鍋取東西吃。此語的來源可能是共同進餐的人各自從公用湯鍋中為自己舀些食物吃。在美國,此語可用于表示客人帶來的飯菜。
A: What will you do tonight?
B: Tom told me this morning to come at 7 p.m. and take pot luck.
A: Really? I just wanted to invite you to the cinema.
B: I’m so sorry, but I have received his invitation at first.
A: OK. I think we will have the chance next time. Have a good time!
B: Thank you, same to you!
A:你今晚干嗎?
B:湯姆今早邀我晚上7點去他家吃頓便飯。
A:是嗎?我本來想要你去看電影。
B:噢,真是不好意思。我已經答應他了。
A:沒關系,我想我們下次還有機會的。玩好!
B:謝謝你,你也一樣!
4. stuffed shirt 愛擺架子、令人討厭的人
A: Our mayor is very famous!
B: You seem to like him very much.
A: You don’t?
B: Not at all. He’s really a stuffed shirt.
A: 市長很有名氣。
B: 你好像很喜歡他。
A: 你不么?
B: 一點也不。他架子太大了。
5. streets ahead 遠在前面;非常優越
A: Whose English is the best in your class?
B: James, of course.
A: Oh?
B: He is good at English; especially he is streets ahead of the rest of the class at reading.
A: 班上誰的英語最棒?
B: 當然是詹姆斯了。
A: 是嗎?
B: 是的,尤其是閱讀理解方面,比其他的同學要好得多。
6. take time by the forelock 抓緊時間,乘機
A: When will he be leaving the country?
B: These two days.
A: So quickly. I want to ask him something.
B: You must take time by the forelock and do it now.
A: 他什么時候出國?
B: 就在這兩天。
A: 這么快?我還想問他點事呢。
B: 你必須抓緊時間,最好現在就去。