美国俚语经典小锦集

 　　1.Clear the air 消除误会

　　To settle a dispute and restore good relations

　　Example: We had a meeting with the workers, and I think we’ve cleared the air now。

　　2.Be in the air 将要发生的事情

　　The feeling or idea that something new is about to happen or is going to change。

　　Example: From the arguments going on at the meeting, it seems that a change in policy is in the air。

　　3.A bad egg 缺乏道德的人

　　Somebody who has no moral principles and should be avoided

　　Example: You mustn’t lend Tim money, he’s a bad egg. You’ll never see him or your money again!

　　4.Cost an arm and a leg 极其昂贵

　　To be very expensive

　　Example: I love that fur coat. However, I don’t think I’m going to buy it because it costs an arm and a leg。

　　5.In the balance 未知的，不可预测的

　　Said when the outcome¹ of a situation is unknown or unpredictable

　　Example: His career as a pilot is in the balance, as his eyesight does not seem good enough。

　　6.In the Bag 稳操胜券

　　Said of an achievement which is secure

　　Example: We have the deal in the bag. The client came in this morning to sign the agreement。

　　7.Drive a hard bargain 极力讨价还价

　　To have the negotiating² strength and skills to get the most advantageous³ price and conditions

　　Example: Amanda is negotiating the best price from the suppliers. She drives a hard bargain。

　　8.Ring a bell 看上去或听起来非常熟悉

　　To look, sound or seem familiar

　　Example: That face rings a bell, where have I seen him before?

　　9.Tighten⁴ one’s belt 节衣缩食

　　To cut down on spending because there is less income than before

　　Example: Now you are out of work, you’ll have to tighten your belt and give up buying new clothes and going out so often。

　　10.Kill two birds with one stone 一石二鸟

　　To complete two tasks together, with less effort than doing them separately

　　Example: Since I’d gone to the store to buy some bread, I thought ofkilling two birds with one stone and invited Mr. Biggs to the party。

1 outcome   

n.结果，出口，演变

参考例句：

• The outcome of the experiment is in the lap of the gods.实验结果尚难预料。
• The outcome of the war is hard to foretell.战争胜负难以预卜。

2 negotiating   

n. 谈判 动词negotiate的现在分词

参考例句：

• They were coerced into negotiating a settlement. 他们被迫通过谈判解决。
• We want to get all the parties back to the negotiating table. 我们想把有关各方拉回到谈判桌上来。

3 advantageous   

adj.有利的；有帮助的

参考例句：

• Injections of vitamin C are obviously advantageous.注射维生素C显然是有利的。
• You're in a very advantageous position.你处于非常有利的地位。

4 tighten   

v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧

参考例句：

• Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.向右转动螺钉把它拧紧。
• Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.一些国家实行紧缩银根的货币政策，以避免通货膨胀。