1. take in on the chin 忍辱负重
注解:源自拳击运动。chin指拳击手的下巴。take it on the chin原指拳击手的下巴承受住对手的打击,没有被击倒。现在喻义为“勇敢承受痛苦,不灰心,不气馁”。
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: 除了在电影里我也没见过这种情景。
A: 真不可思议。那个警察对司机大喊大叫,还污言秽语,可那位司机都忍了。
2. take the cake (biscuit) 最坏不过;再妙不过
注解:此语源于黑人围饼跳舞,优胜者得到一个大饼的奖励。这条习语一般用于表示惊奇、不相信等。它含有讽刺意味,讽喻愚蠢、荒谬或强暴的行为。
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: 我们星期六也得加班。
B: 你确定吗?谁说的?
A: 确定,我亲耳听见老板对秘书说的。
B:那确实是糟糕透顶。
A: 就是,可我们也没办法。
3. take pot luck 吃家常便饭
注解:按字面意思讲,这条习语是指从炉火上的锅取东西吃。此语的来源可能是共同进餐的人各自从公用汤锅中为自己舀些食物吃。在美国,此语可用于表示客人带来的饭菜。
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:你今晚干吗?
B:汤姆今早邀我晚上7点去他家吃顿便饭。
A:是吗?我本来想要你去看电影。
B:噢,真是不好意思。我已经答应他了。
A:没关系,我想我们下次还有机会的。玩好!
B:谢谢你,你也一样!
4. stuffed shirt 爱摆架子、令人讨厌的人
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: 市长很有名气。
B: 你好像很喜欢他。
A: 你不么?
B: 一点也不。他架子太大了。
5. streets ahead 远在前面;非常优越
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: 班上谁的英语最棒?
B: 当然是詹姆斯了。
A: 是吗?
B: 是的,尤其是阅读理解方面,比其他的同学要好得多。
6. take time by the forelock 抓紧时间,乘机
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: 他什么时候出国?
B: 就在这两天。
A: 这么快?我还想问他点事呢。
B: 你必须抓紧时间,最好现在就去。