英语听力精选进阶版 7963

This week’s question is from Du Min and it is about the meaning and usage¹ of the English idiom ‘a hundred and one things’.

The idiomatic² part of this phrase ‘a hundred and one’ can be used instead of the words ‘too many’ or ‘lots of’.

In the UK, idioms form part of our everyday conversations. Sometimes people don’t even realise they’re using them. There are many idioms that contain numbers, often large numbers such as a hundred or a million that are used for emphasis.

When you learn an idiom, you need to find out if it is still popular and frequently used in everyday conversation. Using an outdated³ or unpopular idiom in conversation could sound very silly.

Tracy and Li talk about the idiom ‘a hundred and one’ and introduce four other popular idioms containing the number one.

Glossary 词汇

idiom 成语/谚语

meaning 意思

usage 用法

emphasis 强调

popular 流行的

outdated 过时的

1 usage   

n.惯用法，使用，用法

参考例句：

• I am clear about the usage of this word at last.这个词的用法我算是弄明白了。
• The usage is now firmly established.这种用法现已得到确认。

2 idiomatic   

adj.成语的，符合语言习惯的

参考例句：

• In our reading we should always be alert for idiomatic expressions.我们在阅读过程中应经常注意惯用法。
• In his lecture,he bore down on the importance of idiomatic usage in a language.他在演讲中着重强调了语言中习惯用法的重要性。

3 outdated   

adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时

参考例句：

• That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那个通讯录已经没用了，许多地址已经改了。
• Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我们许多人都遵循祖先立下的过时习俗。