作者：朱子熹
出版社：中国纺织出版社
格式: AZW3, DOCX, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT
经典英文枕边书：每天读点英语俚语试读：
版权信息书名：经典英文枕边书：每天读点英语俚语作者：朱子熹排版：暮蝉出版社：中国纺织出版社出版时间：2018-10-01ISBN：9787518050611本书由中国纺织出版社授权北京当当科文电子商务有限公司制作与发行。— · 版权所有 侵权必究 · —Preface前言或许你对英语有非常强烈的好奇心，或许你知道俚语是英语的重要部分，或许你一直在俚语的大门外徘徊。
毋庸置疑，学习如何使用俚语对很多英语爱好者来说是个挑战。像完成许多困难的事情一样，给自己配备正确的工具是很重要的，这就是这本书诞生的原因。将你已经学会的英语和常用的俚语配合在一起，就是流利地道的英语口语。
现在，欢迎你来到俚语的美妙世界。首先，本书选择了英语国家最常用的生活俚语，学会这些俚语，让你的英语说得地道、听得轻松。其次，本书介绍俚语的相关历史典故，这些历史典故不仅非常有趣，而且可以帮助你记忆俚语的含义。轻松诙谐的漫画以直接呈现或者暗示的方式表达俚语的意思，在学习之余，也会让你会心一笑。每句俚语不仅提供相应的例句，还有一段对话，让你清楚地掌握每句俚语的使用时机与方法。灵活地学习，灵活地运用，才是学好英语的关键。
以前，也许俚语中的每个单词你都看得懂，但是放到一起，就看得“一头雾水”。现在，有了这本《经典英文枕边书：每天读点英文俚语》在手，你将信心满满，在社交中成为真正的“英语达人”。编者2018年6月001A diamond in the rough有潜质的人或物；璞玉
Don't look down on her, as she is a diamond in the rough.别小瞧她，她可是块浑金璞玉。历史典故
这个俚语的字面意思是“未经打磨的钻石”。众所周知，钻石在未经打磨时只是块不起眼的石头，一旦经过雕琢，便能散发耀眼夺目的光芒。本用语主要用于形容有潜质和才能，却尚未被人发掘的人或物，相当于中文里“璞玉”的象征。对话
Kevin: Look at Steven. He is such a nerd.
你看史蒂文，他真是个书呆子。Rose: Why? He is just addicted to what he likes.
为什么？他只是埋头于自己的兴趣爱好而已。
Kevin: As a result, nobody wants to be close to him.
但这样的话，没人愿意跟他做朋友了。
Rose: Well, in fact, I believe his hardworking in science makes him a diamond in the rough.
我觉得，他一心钻研科学的那股劲儿倒让他成了块璞玉了。002A drop in the bucket微不足道；分量很少
I'm a drop in the bucket and, you know, well -- You might lose the vote.我那一票只是沧海一粟，你知道你可能输掉选举了。历史典故“drop”是一滴、水滴的意思；“bucket”是水桶的意思。桶里的一滴水，和整桶水比起来确实是小数目。就像大家常说的沙漠里的一粒沙子、大千世界的一颗棋子一样，很渺小，微不足道。此句源自《圣经》，原意为“水桶中的一滴水”。对应的汉语还有“沧海一粟”“九牛一毛”。对话
Kevin: I'd like to do something to change the world, but whatever I do seems like a drop in the bucket.
我很愿意做点什么来改变这个世界，但是无论我做什么都显得微不足道。Rose: You should not think like this. If everyone makes a little effort, we can make a change to the world.
你不应该这么想。如果每个人都贡献自己的一份力量，我们就能改变世界。
Kevin: Yes, you are right. We also should do our best to appeal to everyone around us.对，你说的对。我们还应该尽最大努力呼吁身边的每一个人。
Rose: Yeah, let's do it.
是的，让我们共同努力。003A picture is worth a thousand words百闻不如一见
A picture is worth a thousand words. She is more beautiful than what I heard.
百闻不如一见，她比我听说的还要美。历史典故
这句话来自于汉语。字面直译就是“一张图抵过千言万语”，意思就是对一件事或是一个物体，再多的语言描述也不如直观地看见。对应的汉语就是“百闻不如一见，画意能达万言”。对话
Kevin: I have traveled to Jiuzhaigou Valley recently.
我最近去九寨沟旅游了。
Rose: Wow! The scenery there must be very beautiful.
哇！那儿的风景一定很美。
Kevin: Right. A picture is worth a thousand words. It's more beautiful than what I imagined.没错。当真是百闻不如一见，比我想象的还要美。
Rose: I will travel there in the near future.
最近我也要去那儿旅游一次。004A piece of cake轻而易举的事
A friend might tell you that his new job was "a piece of cake."朋友会告诉你他的新工作对他来说就是“小菜一碟”。历史典故
这句俚语字面意思就是“一块蛋糕”。西方饮食文化中，像蛋糕这样的甜点是必不可少的。因此，就有了这句俚语形容事情很简单。像中文里的“小菜一碟”。对话
Kevin: Have you passed TOEFL?你通过托福考试了吗？
Rose: No, I haven't taken it yet. I think it is too hard for me.
没有，我还没有参加过。我觉得它对我来说太难了。
Kevin: You should have conf i dence.It is just a piece of cake for you.
你应该有信心才对。托福对你来说简直是小菜一碟。
Rose: Why do you say so?
为什么这么说？
Kevin: I have passed it, and your English is much better than mine.我都通过了，你的英语水平比我好多了。
Rose: OK, I'll try.
好吧，我试试。005Absence makes the heart grow fonder小别胜新婚
Cheer up Dude; everybody knows that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
开心点，朋友。大家都知道小别胜新婚的。历史典故“absence”是离开的意思，这个俚语的字面意思是“离开却让彼此的心更喜欢”。这个用法最早可追溯到17世纪。刚开始，这个用法并没有为人所了解，直到莎士比亚（William Shakespeare）在《奥赛罗》（Othello）中援引此句才逐渐成为俚语。对话
Kevin: I see your husband loves you more than before.
我看你丈夫比以前更爱你了。
Rose: I feel so. We haven't met each other for three months.
我也这样觉得，我们都三个月没见了。
Kevin: I got you. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
我明白了，小别胜新婚。
Rose: You are right.
对了，就是这样。
absence
['æbsəns]n. 没有；缺席006Achilles' heel 唯一弱点，致命伤
The Achilles' heel of the operation of company is a lack of effective supervision and management mechanism.
公司运营的薄弱环节在于缺乏有效的监督和管理机制。历史典故
这个俚语直译是“阿基里斯（Achilles）的脚后跟”的意思，源于《荷马史诗》（Homeric Epics）所记载的希腊神话故事。因为阿基里斯的母亲想让儿子永远健壮，便捏着他的脚后跟把他在冥河里浸泡。因此阿基里斯浑身刀枪不入，只有脚后跟没有被河水浸泡到，最后被暗箭射中脚后跟，负伤而死。Achilles' heel 也叫the heel of Achilles，现在用来表示某人的唯一致命弱点。对话
Kevin:Would you like a piece of cake?
你要不要吃蛋糕。
Rose: Oh, I would like to, but I can't.
哦，我想吃，但是不能吃。
Kevin: Are you losing weight?For what?
你在减肥？为什么啊？
Rose: Yes, I am going to attend the beauty contest in September,where the winner can get 1, 000 dollar.
嗯，我要参加九月份的选美比赛，冠军可以获得1000美元。
Kevin: So you have to overcome your weakness, your Achilles' heel.那你必须得克服你的致命弱点了。007All hell broke loose失去控制
After they got drunk, all hell broke loose in the bar.他们喝醉以后，酒吧里乱成一片。历史典故“hell”是地狱的意思，“loose”是松的，“All hell broke loose”也就是没人管了，失去控制了。假想一下，如果地狱失去控制了，那还得了？这个俚语最早可追溯到17世纪60年代，著名诗人约翰•米尔顿（John Milton）在其著名诗歌《失乐园》（Paradise Lost）里写下了这句话。对话
Kevin: Did you hear about the news of the earthquake?
你听说地震的消息了吗？
Rose: Yes. It was really so sad.是的，那真是太悲惨了。
Kevin: It was said that all hell broke loose there. We should do something for the refugees.
据说那里一切都失控了。我们应该为难民做些事情。
Rose: Yes. Let's go! Hurry up!
是的。我们走，赶快！008All that glitters is not gold 金玉其外，败絮其中；勿以貌取人
All that glitters is not gold. Maybe he can play basketball well,though he is short.
人不可貌相。他虽然个子矮，说不定他篮球打得很好呢。历史典故“glitter”是闪烁发亮的意思，这个俚语的字面意思是“闪亮的不一定是金子”。这个用法最早可追溯到古拉丁文中，而在莎士比亚的经典著作《威尼斯商人》中，他则使用“glister”来代替“glitter”，但表达的意思都一样。对话
Kevin: I think I'll invest a lot of my money in that stock.
我想我会投资很多钱再那只股票上。Rose: Do you think that's a good idea?
你觉得那是好主意吗？
Kevin: Many people think it's going to really increase in value.许多人都看好它会升值。
Rose: Well, don't forget that all that glitters is not gold.
看事情别只看外表。009An albatross around (one's) neck挥不去的阴影
The mistake will be an albatross around her neck forever.那个错误是她永远挥之不去的阴影。历史典故
这个俚语的字面意思是“绑在脖子上的信天翁”。此句源于萨缪尔·泰勒·柯立芝（Samuel Taylor Coleridge）的诗作《老水手之歌》（The Rime of the Ancient Mariner），这首诗创作于1798年，描述了一名船员射杀了一只飞过的信天翁，从此以后，整条船都遭遇了一系列离奇的事件，其他船员觉得肯定是射杀信天翁的船员带来的厄运，于是将信天翁的尸体缠在他的脖子上以驱除厄运。对话
Kevin: You shouldn't blame yourself any more. It is not all your fault.
你不应该再自责了，也不全是你的错。
Rose: It is my fault. If I ran faster,the accident wouldn't happen.
是我的错。我当时要是再跑快点，车祸就不会发生了。
Kevin: You must be painful all these days.
你这些天一定很痛苦吧。
Rose: Yes, the scene is just like an albatross around my neck. I even can't breathe.
是啊，那一幕在我脑海里挥之不去，我甚至都无法呼吸了。010An arm and a leg 非常昂贵；昂贵的代价
The house must have cost her an arm and a leg.这房子肯定花了她很多钱。历史典故
这条俚语的字面意思为“一只胳膊和一条腿”。那这跟昂贵的代价有什么关联呢？据说这个说法源于第一次世界大战，军人最重要的就是支撑自己作战的胳膊和腿了。所以，这个俚语后来就用于形容代价很高，或是指“很大很大一笔钱”，它也可以和其他表示“花费”的动词连用。对话
Kevin: You got a Maserati? The new car is really wonderful!
你买了辆玛莎拉蒂？这车真是太棒了。
Rose: Yeah, the price of it is also wonderful and I really have paid an arm and a leg for it.
是的，它的价格也同样太棒了，我为了它几乎倾尽所有啊。
Kevin: So why do you buy so expensive a car?
那你为什么要买这么贵的车啊？
Rose: Simply because it is cool.就因为它很酷啊。
Kevin: You are so cool, too.
你也太酷了。011Armed to the teeth全副武装
Being faced with such a fi erce battle, every soldier has armed to the teeth.
面对如此惨烈的一场战斗，所有战士都全副武装。历史典故“arm”在这并非是胳膊的意思，而是武装的意思。这句俚语的字面意思是“连牙齿都要装”。可不就是全副武装吗？这句话最早源于17世纪的牙买加海盗，因为这些海盗除了配备刀剑，还会用牙齿咬一把刀，以防万一。对话
Kevin: Rose, the fi nal examination is coming. How about your preparation for it?
萝丝，期末考试就要到了，你准备得怎么样了？
Rose: I think I have no problem. I have armed to the teeth for it.
我觉得我没有问题。我已经为此全副武装。
Kevin: Yeah, I believe it. You are always doing the best.
是啊，我相信。你总是竭尽全力。Rose: Thank you. I must get the scholarship of this year.
谢谢你，我一定要拿今年的奖学金。012At death's door濒临死亡
Having no water and food for three days, the adventurer is at death's door.
三天以来没吃没喝，这位探险家已经濒临死亡。历史典故
这句俚语的字面意思是“在死神门口”。都到阎王殿前了，岂不就是濒临死亡吗？其实这句话出自《圣经•诗篇》（Psalrus）第107章第18节。其中写道：“They drew near to the gates of death.”（他们濒临死亡。）对话
Kevin: I hear your grandmother is in hospital.
听说你奶奶住院了。
Rose: Yeas.She is seriusly ill.
对，他病得很重。
Kevin: I'm very sorry to hear that.我很遗憾。
Rose: The doctors believe she's at death's olovr
医生都认为她将不久于人世。013At the drop of a hat立刻，马上
When he saw the robbery, he called the police at the drop of a hat.他一看到这起抢劫就立即报了警。历史典故
这个俚语源于美国西部过去的决斗和赛马之类的比赛，裁判会用扔帽子的形式宣布比赛开始，帽子一旦落地，比赛就正式开始。这个规则延续了很久，后来才用发令枪代替，但这个说法从此流传下来，用来表示立即、马上。这个俚语还可以指一个脾气一触即发的人。对话
Kevin: I was scared when this accident happened.
事情发生时我真是吓坏了。
Rose: So was I.
我也一样啊。
Kevin: Thank goodness that you had called the ambulance at the drop of a hat, or my grandpa would have been in great danger.
谢天谢地，还好你立即叫了救护车，要不然我爷爷可就有生命危险了。
Rose: It's nothing. Heart attack is really a terrible problem for the old.
这没什么，心脏病对老年人来说真是一个严重的问题。
Kevin: Thank you very much!
非常感谢你。014At the eleventh hour 来得早不如来得巧；关键时刻
The criminal was trying to burst the ship, and at the eleventh hour the police came out.
犯罪分子正在试图炸毁整条船，关键时刻警察出现了。历史典故
英语俚语很多都源于圣经故事，比如这条。《圣经》（The Bible）里有这样一个故事：一个富人雇佣了好几名园丁帮自己打理葡萄园，有个园丁一大早就开始干活了，而有一些直到晚上才来，但他们下班的时间和所得的工钱却是一样的。早知如此，晚上十一点来也是一样的。所以这个俚语就比喻正赶上能拿到好处的时候。对话
Kevin: What's your problem,Rose?Why are you so depressed?
怎么了，萝丝？为什么这么无精打采的？
Rose: The Iron Man is dead in the Avengers.《复仇者联盟》里钢铁侠死了。
Kevin: Have you finished the movie? Iron Man was not dead,because he was saved by American Captain.
你看完整部电影了吗？钢铁侠没死，他被美国队长救了。
Rose: Really? He was obviously hit by a bomb.
真的吗？他明明被炸弹击中了啊。Kevin: Yeah, but American Captain saved him at the eleventh hour.
是的，但是关键时刻美国队长救了他。015At the end of (one's) rope忍无可忍
I am at the end of my rope. You have done such a mess of all the work I gave you.
我对你忍无可忍了，我交给你的所有工作你都做得一团糟。历史典故
其实这个俚语最早的说法是“At the end of (one's) tether”。“tether”跟“rope”差不多意思，都是绳子、锁链的意思。这个用法最早见于17世纪的文献之中，表示到了无法再忍的尽头。对话
Rose: Oh, god! What has happened with you, Kevin? So much blood is on your face.
哦，天呐，你怎么了凯文？脸上都是血。
Kevin: I fought with Tom just now, and I almost beat him to death.
我刚才和汤姆打架了，我差点把他打死。
Rose: Why? What's the problem on earth?
什么？到底怎么回事啊？
Kevin: He had sold my new car without my agreement. I was at the end of my rope with him.
他竟然不经我同意把我的新车给卖了。我对他忍无可忍了。016Axe to grind 生气；找人理论；别有用心
The girl has an axe to grind with her boyfriend, because he is alway late for the dates.
这个女孩在生他男朋友的气，因为他总是约会迟到。历史典故
这个短语最常见的搭配是“have an axe to grind with sb.”。此用法最早于18世纪出于本杰明•富兰克林（Benjamin Franklin）所写的一则故事。富兰克林幼年时，在自家院子里遇到一个带有斧头的陌生人，那人称赞院子里的磨石（grind stone）很好，想看看好不好用，便让富兰克林转动磨石，而他自己在上面磨斧子。对话
Kevin: I can't believe it that you couldn't answer the question the teacher raised.
我不相信你回答不了老师提出的问题。
Rose: Of course I could, but I wouldn't.
我当然会，只是我不想回答。
Kevin: But why?
那为什么啊？
Rose: I didn't want to put him in an awkward situation as the question itself was wrong.
我不想使他难堪因为问题本身是错的。
Kevin: Oh my god! So you have an axe to grind.
我的天呐，原来你还另有想法。017Back to square one前功尽弃
Just the minute I almost fi nished my essay, the computer crashed and everything went back to square one.
就在我快写完论文的时候，电脑死机了，一切都前功尽弃。历史典故“square”是方格的意思，这个用语从字面上理解就是“回到最初的方格”。是不是想起小时候玩的跳房子了？没错，这个词就起源于英国孩童的游戏，如跳房子和蛇梯棋。游戏中，开始你可能遥遥领先，但一着不慎，就可能回到原点。所以本俚语主要用来形容一切努力付诸东流，前功尽弃。对话
Rose: Hey, I heard that you proposed to your girlfriend last night. How was it?
嘿，我听说你昨晚向女朋友求婚啦？Kevin: Oh, let's drop it.
唉，别提了。
Rose: What happened?
怎么了？
Kevin: We had a big fi ght before the dinner over some trif l es. We broke up and everything just went back to square one.
吃饭前我们为了些小事闹翻了。我们分手了，一切又回到了原点。
Rose:I'm sorry to hear that.Anyway, good luck!
听到这个非常遗憾。不管怎样，祝你好运！018Ballpark figure大约的数目
The elder I become, the more books I should read, so I have listed a ballpark fi gure for the next three years.
年龄越大越应该多读书，因此我为自己未来三年要读的书列了个大约的书目。历史典故“ballpark”在美语中是“棒球场”的意思。所以大家也应该能猜到，这个俚语与棒球有关。每场棒球比赛，球场播音员都会宣布当天粗略估计的观众人数。这个俚语在20世纪50年代开始使用，意为大约的数目。对话
Kevin: Hi, Rose, long time no see.嗨，萝丝，好久不见。
Rose: Yeah, time fl ies. We have already graduated from our college.
是啊，时光飞逝，我们都大学毕业了。Kevin: How about your college life?你大学生活怎么样？
Rose: Boring! At the beginning of every semester, we were given a ballpark figure of books by our teacher, and then read them during the rest time of the semester.
无聊啊。每学期开始，老师给我们一个要读的书的大约的数目，剩下的时间我们就是读书。
Kevin: It's kind of boring.
是挺无聊的。019Ball's in your court 该是你采取行动的时候了
All the documents needed are put on your desk. Ball's in your court.所有需要的文件都放在你桌上了，该是你采取行动的时候了。历史典故
这句俚语来源于网球运动。这个俚语从字面上理解是“球已经在你的场地了”。换句话说就是，我已经采取行动，把球打过去了，现在球在你的场地，该你打过来了，也就是该你采取行动的时候了。对话
Kevin: We have paid and gone through all the procedures. Ball's in your court.
我们已经付钱，并且完成所有的手续。该轮到你行动了。
Rose: Ok, trust me. This travel plan is perfect. I will make arrangements for you soon.
好的，相信我，这次旅行非常完美。我很快就帮你们安排行程。
Kevin: Don't let me down again.不要再让我失望了。020Barking / bark up the wrong tree找错对象
Our boss has barked up the wrong tree. Jerry should not been blamed for the loss.
我们老板发火发错对象了，损失不是由杰瑞造成的。历史典故
这个俚语的字面意思是“在错的树下叫”。这个词最早用在狩猎中，狩猎者通常都会带着猎犬去打猎，当猎物逃到树上时，猎犬就会跟着气味在树下叫，而如果在没有猎物的树下叫，岂不就是找错对象了？对话
Kevin: Why are you in such a hurry, Rose?
萝丝，你为什么这么匆忙？
Rose: My computer doesn't operate well. I am looking for Jerry to help me repair it.
我电脑出问题了，我要找杰瑞帮我修一下。
Kevin: Don't bark up the wrong tree. He is not good at computer.别找错了对象。他可对电脑不在行。Rose: Then from whom should I ask for help ?
那我应该向谁求助？
Kevin: Me. I am a master on
computer.
我啊，我可是电脑高手。021Beat around the bush拐弯抹角，旁敲侧击
She is always beating around the bush when she is talking to us,which often makes us baff l ed.
她讲话总是拐弯抹角，常常让我们一头雾水。历史典故“beat”的意思指“打，敲击”，“bush”的意思是“灌木丛”，字面意思理解这句俚语即是“绕着灌木丛敲击”。指不直接切入正题，也就是说话兜圈子，拐弯抹角，旁敲侧击等。对话
Kevin: The so-called educated man called your names just now.那个所谓的文化人刚刚在骂你。
Rose: How could he do this to me? By the way, I didn't hear it.他怎么能这样？顺便说下，我没有听到。
Kevin: He was beating around the bush when cursing.
他拐弯抹角地诅咒你。
Rose: Damn it.
可恶的家伙。022Beat it滚开
Beat it! Don't stand in my way, or I will give some colors to see.滚开，别挡我的路，否则我会给你点颜色看看。历史典故“beat it”的字面意思是打它。而这里的它代指的是地面，就是用脚打击地面，就是“跑走，滚开”的意思。有趣的是，迈克尔·杰克逊（Michael Jackson）当年红遍世界的歌曲“Beat it”，中文被翻译成“打击”，而实际应是“远离（暴力）”。对话
Kevin: Rose, I am sorry. I am a bastard. I beg your pardon.
萝丝，我对不起你，我是个混蛋，我乞求你的原谅。
Rose: What you have done deeply hurt me. I don't want to see you again.
你的所作所为让我伤透了心。我不想再看到你。
Kevin: Rose, Rose...
萝丝，萝丝……
Rose: Beat it. Get out of my sight.滚开，滚出我的视线。023Beat the rap全身而退
The defence lawyers weren't conf i dent but in the end we managed to beat the rap.
虽然辩护律师曾感到没有把握，但我们最后还是设法逃过了刑罚。历史典故
这句俚语源于美国的诉讼领域，指逃过刑事责任。“beat”是“打败、战胜”的意思，而“rap”通常指惩罚，所以这个俚语表达的字面意思是“战胜惩罚”，也就是逃脱惩罚的意思。对话
Kevin: We have been trapped by the enemy.
我们被敌人包围了。
Rose: I know it. Talking about it is not a solution. What we should do is to figure out a solution of beating the rap.
我知道，说话不能解决问题。当务之急是想个全身而退的方法。
Kevin: How about calling Tom?He is a master of this electronic game.
给汤姆打电话吧，他可是玩这个游戏的高手。
Rose: Yeah, we have no other choice.
好吧，我们别无选择了。024Dirt poor 极其贫困的，一贫如洗
His family was dirt poor but his parents were determined for him to have an education.
他家徒四壁，但他父母却下定决心送他上学。历史典故
据考证，这个短语源于16世纪。当时只有有钱人家才能铺木地板，也比较好清洗。但穷人家就买不起木地板，每天奔命，根本没有闲工夫打扫，后来这个短语就用来形容一贫如洗。对话
Kevin: I have read the biography of Li Ka-shing recently.
我最近读了李嘉诚的传记。
Rose: What do you think of it?
感觉怎么样？
Kevin: He is really a tough man who was dirt poor in his childhood. And later he became the richest man in Hong Kong after years' hardworking.
他真是个强人，幼年时一贫如洗，后来经过多年的努力成为了香港首富。
Rose: The story sounds much inspiring.
这故事听起来还挺励志。025Don't count your chickens ( before they are hatched) 话别说得太早；不要打如意算盘
Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. The result of the examination has not come out.
话别说得太早，考试结果还没出来呢。历史典故
这个说法最早来源于《伊索寓言》（Aesop's Fables）。有个女孩拿了一桶牛奶去集市卖，她想着先把牛奶做成奶油，这样可以多卖一点钱买鸡蛋，买完鸡蛋就可以孵化小鸡，然后把小鸡卖了买新衣服。结果她把牛奶打翻了，于是她妈妈就对她说了这句话，就是话不要说太早的意思。对话
Kevin: What are you laughing for?你在笑什么啊？
Rose: Every time I think that I will win the Nobel Prize of Economy,I can't help laughing.
每次我想到我将会获诺贝尔经济学奖，我就忍不住想笑。
Kevin: Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.
话不要说得太早啊。
Rose: Why? I have much conf i dence of myself.
为什么？我对自己很有信心。026Don't look a gift horse in the mouth不要挑剔别人送的礼物
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. It is friendship that matters.不要挑剔别人送的礼物，情谊最重要。历史典故
这个俚语从字面上理解意思为“不要往别人送你的马的嘴里看”。究竟是什么意思呢？原来，在西方有一种说法，从马的牙齿可以看出马的年龄。所以收到一匹马作礼物时，有些人就会通过看马的牙齿来判断马匹是否精良。但这是不礼貌且不正确的做法。因为不管别人送你什么，值多少钱，都是一份不能衡量的情谊。对话
Kevin: How was your birthday?You must have received a lot of gifts.
生日过得如何？一定收到了不少礼物吧。
Rose: Yes. Many of them are exquisite. But the Barbie doll Lily gave me turned out to be a cheap copy.
对啊，好多制作精美的礼物哦。但我后来发现莉莉送我的芭比娃娃是个山寨货。
Kevin: It's your fault then. Never look a gift horse in the mouth because it's the thought that counts.
那就是你的不对了。不要挑剔别人送的礼物，礼轻情意重嘛。027Double whammy祸不单行
I have encountered more than two misfortunes in a double whammy day.
祸不单行的日子，我竟然遇到了不止两件倒霉的事。历史典故“whammy”是打击的意思，这个俚语的意思显而易见，就是双重打击。“whammy”在之前的意思是诅咒。这个俚语最早源于1951年漫画家艾尔•盖普（Alcapp）的漫画《小阿布纳》（Li'l Abner）里。对话
Kevin: What a double whammy day!
真是祸不单行啊！
Rose: What's up?
怎么了？
Kevin: My bike was stolen in the morning, and I was knocked down by another bike in the afternoon.
上午我的自行车被偷了，下午我又被自行车撞倒了。
Rose: Oh, I am really sorry to hear that.
噢，你真是太不幸了。028Down in the dumps闷闷不乐
The boy is down in the dumps because of losing his favorite toy.这孩子因为丢了最喜欢的玩具而闷闷不乐。历史典故
这个俚语最早源于中世纪英语。在英语中，“down”这个介词也可单独使用，形容人心情不好。“blue”和“low”也有这层意思。be down in the dumps 常指“闷闷不乐”或“打不起精神”，也可引申为“垂头丧气，精神沮丧”。对话
Kevin: What is the most nagging thing in the world?
世界上最闹心的事是什么？
Rose: I am not quite sure about it. Why you ask such a question?我不是很清楚，为什么这么问啊？Kevin: I know it. It is that your girlfriend doesn't talk to you any more but you don't know why.
我知道，那就是你女朋友不理你但你又不知道为什么。
Rose: Oh, I see. I know why you are down in the dumps.
哦，我明白了，我说你怎么这么闷闷不乐呢。029Down to the wire 不到最后关头难分胜负；拮据的
The student went down to the wire, turning in her paper just as the class bell rang.
那学生在下课铃响起时的最后一刻才交上她的作业。历史典故
这个俚语最早源于赛马比赛。在赛马比赛时，裁判会在终点拉一根绳子，这样就能看出谁先到达终点。后来被用到各个领域之中，形容比赛势均力敌，时间紧迫。对话
Rose:We can't go to a restaurant tonight–we're really down to the wire.
今晚我们不能去饭馆吃饭了——我们几乎身无分文了。
Kevin: Ah, it is really a problem,but, not for me, your husband.
啊，这确实是个问题，但不是对你的老公我。
Rose: Ah ha, what trick are you going to play?
啊哈，你要搞什么把戏？
试读结束[说明：试读内容隐藏了图片]