有趣的英语俚语（一）

　　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.

　　2.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.

　　3.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.

　　4.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!

　　5.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.

　　6.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.

　　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 of killing⁵ two birds with one stone and invited Mr. Biggs to the party.

　　11.Be in a black mood 情绪极差

　　To be so negative about everything that it is impossible for anyone to reason with him/her

　　Example: My father has been in a black mood for days, we dare not say anything to him.

　　12.New people brought into an organization to introduce different and original ideas

　　Example: It was decided⁶ to bring new blood into the school by employing teachers with the latest training.

　　13.Feeling blue 感到无精打采

　　Feeling sad or depressed⁷

　　Example: She’s feeling blue, because the man she loves is far away.

　　14.Get to the bottom of something 弄清真相

　　To find out the truth about something

　　Example: I’m trying to get to the bottom of why David left without saying goodbye.

　　15.A piece of cake 轻松的事

　　Something which is very easy to do

　　Example: Here…let me put the batteries in for you. It’s a piece of cake.

　　16.Pay a call 拜访

　　To visit somebody

　　Example: As we’re in this neighborhood, we might as well pay the Jacksons a call, we haven’t seen them for ages.

　　17.By chance 偶然, 意外的

　　Unexpectedly; with no prior planning

　　Example: By chance, I bumped⁸ into my wife in the shopping mall

　　18.Round the clock 夜以继日的

　　To do something continuously, without a break or pause

　　Example: The ambulance services worked round the clock hauling⁹ people trapped in the building to safety.

　　19.Keep one’s cool 保持冷静

　　To stay calm in a difficult situation

　　Example: If the traffic is jamed, the only thing to do is keep your cool, or get out of the car and walk!

　　20.In a tight corner 处于困境

　　In an extremely difficult situation

　　Example: Whenever I get into a tight corner, I try to rely on quick thinking to get out of it.

　　21.Keep in the dark 隐瞒

　　To keep something secret

　　Example: We know my brother has a new girlfriend, but he's keeping her name in the dark.

　　22.Fall on deaf ears 不加理睬的, 不听取

　　Not to take any notice of what is said

　　Example: The city council’s order that garbage should be put in the bins¹⁰ fell on deaf ears; the sidewalks are still littered with trash!

　　23.Take things easy 放轻松

　　To relax

　　Example: It's better for our health to take things easy than to worry about problems all the time.

　　24.Eat like a horse 吃得很多

　　To eat a lot; to have a very big appetite

　　Example: Fred eats like a horse. When I was a growing lad like him, I used to eat a lot, too.

　　25.Catch one’s eye 吸引某人注意

　　To attract somebody’s attention

　　Example: A movement behind the curtain caught my eye – I thought it was a burglar¹¹ and rushed out of the room!

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