不同的文化環(huán)境里有不同的文化習(xí)俗和傳統(tǒng)。因此,也會衍生出一些極具本國特色的俚語表達(dá)。
Idiom: 俚語
Quintessential: /?kw?nt??s?n?(?)l/ 典型的,精髓的
#1.A piece of cake
When a task is easy or straightforward, Americans say it's "a piece of cake."
如果一件事情非常簡單易做,美國人會說它:
a piece of cake: 小菜一碟
#2.It's not rocket science
When something is easy to understand, they might say "it's not rocket science."
當(dāng)一件事情非常容易理解,美國人會說:
it's not rocket science:不是火箭科學(xué),指不是什么復(fù)雜的事情。
或者用另一種說法:
It's not brain surgery: 不是腦部手術(shù),指不是什么難事。
#3.Beat around the bush
美國人非常地直接,不喜歡拐彎抹角,所以這句俚語也很常用:
Beat around the bush: to delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant. 拖延或一直不說重點(diǎn),拐彎抹角
它經(jīng)常以否定句使用:
Don't beat around the bush. 不要拐彎抹角。
#4.Shoot the breeze
When Americans "shoot the breeze," they talk about unimportant things for a long time.
當(dāng)美國人“shoot the breeze”,表示他們一直在談?wù)撘恍o關(guān)緊要的事情。
怎么用:
A: What are you guys talking about?你們在聊什么?
B: We are just shooting the breeze. 我們只是隨便閑聊。
#5.Break a leg
"Break a leg" is a superstitious phrase that originated in the American theatre. It's now used to wish someone good luck.
“Break a leg”是一個源于美國劇院的迷信說法?,F(xiàn)在被用來祝他人好運(yùn)。它的使用已經(jīng)不僅僅局限于戲劇演出,考試、面試都可以用它來送出祝福。
You'd better leave now if you want to arrive early for the exam. Break a leg! 如果你想早點(diǎn)到考場你最好現(xiàn)在就出發(fā)。祝你好運(yùn)!
#6.Monday-morning quarterback
美式橄欖球是美國最流行的運(yùn)動之一,很多與之相關(guān)的俚語也被廣泛使用在生活中。
A "Monday-morning quarterback" is a person who criticizes things in hindsight. Professional football games in the United States are often played on Sundays.
在美國,Quarterback(四分衛(wèi))是一個重要的得分角色,而專業(yè)的美式橄欖球比賽一般都會放在周日晚上,所以“周一早上的四分衛(wèi)”就會用來形容那些“事后諸葛亮”“放馬后炮”的人。
#7.Ballpark figure
還有一個源自棒球運(yùn)動的俚語:
Ballpark figure : a rough estimate. 一個粗略的估計(jì)。
怎么用:
I don't need an exact number. A ballpark figure will do.我不需要準(zhǔn)確地?cái)?shù)字,一個粗略的估計(jì)就夠了。
#8.The cat's out of the bag
和“貓”相關(guān)的俚語:
The cat's out of the bag: something has happened and you can't change it.
這個俚語表示事情已經(jīng)發(fā)生了,沒有辦法再改變。
#9.Spill the beans
還有一個相似的短語:
Spill the beans: to let out something 把某事泄露出來,多指秘密。
怎么用:
There is a surprise party for her on Wednesday. Please don't spill the beans. 周三要給她舉辦驚喜派對,千萬不要泄密。
#10.Don't cry over spilt milk
還有一個和spill相關(guān)的俚語:
Don't cry over spilt milk: someone might say if you're upset over something you can't fix.
如果你面對一件無法改變的事情而煩惱,別人會說這句話來安慰你。
#11.Jump on the bandwagon
When you "jump on the bandwagon,"you're joining a popular activity or supporting a popular cause.
這個俚語表示加入了某項(xiàng)很流行的活動,或支持某項(xiàng)大勢的事業(yè)。
怎么用:
A: "I thought your mom hated thatcandidate." 我以為你媽媽討厭那個候選人。
B: "Well, he's the president now, soshe decided to jump on the bandwagon."他現(xiàn)在是總統(tǒng)了,所以我媽媽決定跟隨大勢。
#12.Cold turkey
最后這個俚語和火雞有關(guān):
When you quit something "cold turkey," you abruptly withdraw from an addictive substance or behavior,like smoking.
這個俚語表示你突然停止某個上癮的東西或行為,例如吸煙。