A. Hey, Lisa, you look so serious! A penny for your thoughts? B. I'm just thinking about my parents and my old neighborhood. I think I'm a little homesick.
Note. 當你發現某人沉默不語, 悶悶不樂的時候, 是否想知道, 甚至願意用錢來買對方的想法? 在 a penny for your thoughts 這個說法中, 字面意思為 "用一分錢來買你的想法", 其實是在對方看起來若有所思, 而你想知道對方在想什麼時候, 就可以用這個說法來詢問對方. 類似說法: What are you thinking about?
281. "他還在猶豫不決"
A. Has your son Mike decided which university he will attend? B. Not yet. He got accepted to two very good schools, and he's still sitting on the fence.
Note. 一個人若坐在籬笆上而未選任何一邊, 就表示該人立場不明, 此外 sit on the fence 亦可用來指某人因不想得罪任何一方而不選邊站, 採取中立的態度. 類似說法: He is indecisive.
282. "打起精神來"
A. I'm so nervous. That test was difficult and I think I did terribly. My scores must be awful. B. You studied really hard for this exam, so keep your chin up. You probably didn't do as poorly as you think.
283. "閉嘴!"
A. Mom, I don't want to go to grandma's house this weekend. It's the first weekend that I've had off since the beginning of the semester, and I would rather hang out with my friends. B.Zip your lip! I don't want to hear another word. We are going to grandma's house and that is final!
Note. 類似說法: be quiet; shut up; button your lip
284. "人多反誤事"
A. The boss wants at least ten people working on this project. B. I will try to get him to cut the team down to five because too many cooks spoil the broth.
Note. 反義說法: Many hands make light work.
285. "我們就算扯平了"
A. Jamie, how much do I owe you for dinner? B. Since you paid for dinner last time, I'll pay for this one, and we'll cat it even.
A. I can't believe how terrible my presentation to the class turned out to be. B.Stop kicking yourself. It's not the end of the world.
275. "別搞砸了"
A. I need to buy the plane tickets for our vacation soon. B.Don't drop the ball on this one. It is high season, and the cheap tickets will sell out fast.
276. "他被當成耳邊風"
A. Did you tell your husband that it would be a risky bet to invest in that company? B. I did, but it fell on deaf ears. The stocks we own are now almost worthless.
277. "別拿我出氣"
A. Mom yelled at me for not cleaning the kitchen. You used the kitchen too, but she said nothing to you. B.Don't take it out on me. I didn't make a mess like you did.
Note. 類似說法: vent sth on sb
278. "非常時期需要非常手段"
A. I heard that Matt is selling his car. B. Yeah, he just lost his job. Drastic times call for drastic measures.
279. "大做文章"
A. Did you hear about the latest scandal that politician is involved in? B. Of course! The press is having a field day with it.
Note. field day 表示 "重要活動的日子; 大好時機; 令人相當愉快的時間", have a field day 可用來指某人可以盡情, 肆意地做事, 而所做的事可能會傷害其他人.
A. I feel so sad about breaking up with my boyfriend. B.I've been there before. It takes time to get over it.
269. "別任他擺布"
A. The boy is always being mean to me. B. You should stand up for yourself. Don't let him push you around.
270. "你騙到我了"
A. I'm just kidding. I didn't really win the contest. B.You had me there. I believed every word you said.
271. "不會吧"
A. It looks like another typhoon is coming. B.You don't say. We've been having a lot of them lately.
Note. 本句常用於對對方所說的話感到吃驚, 不可置信時, 相當於中文的 "不會吧". 不過 You don't say 亦可用在相反的情形, 表示對方所說的話一點也不驚訝, 相當於 "可不是嗎". 例如: A. I think Tom and Marsha are getting married. (我想湯姆與瑪莎要結婚了) B. You don't say. We got their wedding invitation last week. (可不是嗎? 我們上星期就收到他們的喜帖了)
272. "她的嘴巴狠毒"
A. Do you think Jeanne is angry at me? B. If she is, you'll find out. She has a very sharp tongue.
Note. 補充: a sliver tongue 三寸不爛之舌, 舌璨蓮花
273. "不要忘恩負義"
A. I am so sick of the job that I have, and I don't like my boss. B. He just gave you a raise! Don't bite the had that feeds you.
A. There are different ways to solve this problem. B. Let's cross the stream where it is shallowest.
Note. 類似說法: Take the easiest path
264. "一吐為快"
A. Thanks for listening to my problems. I feel much better now. B. It's always good to get things off your chest.
Note. 類似說法: Let things out; Take thins out
265. "分一杯羹"
A. Will John help you set up your small business. B. He will, but he wants a piece of the pie.
Note. 類似說法: a share/a slice of the pie.
266. "別想占我便宜"
A. I heard you're making a lot of money at your new job. B. I am, but don't try to cash in on my current success. I have a lot of debts that I have to pay off.
267. "好心一點吧!"
A. People who beg for money on the street are too lazy to work. B.Have a heart! Some of them are going through really hard times.
A. I'm going to learn how to run one of the machines in the factory this week. B. That sounds exciting. Just keep your eye on the ball. If you don't, you could get injured.
Note. 類似說法: Stay focused; Pay attention
278. "略施薄懲"
A. The businessman who cheated people out of their money will receive only a small fine as the court has decided not to send him to jail. B.It's a slap on the wrist. I wish they had put him away for a long time.
Note. 類似說法: a token punishment, a mild/light punishment
259. "她只是虛張聲勢"
A. That girl seems very mean, so I should probably avoid her. B.She's all bark and no bite. There's no reason to be afraid of her.
Note. 類似說法: empty threat; sb's bark is worse than sb's bite
260. "天下無不散的宴席"
A. Summer camp has been so much fun. I really wish we didn't have to go home. B. Me, too. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end.
Note. 類似說法: Nothing lasts forever.
261. "他只是曇花一現"
A. I am surprised that the movie director hasn't made any more successful movies. His first one made millions! B. I guess he was just a flash in the pan.
A. I really don't want to fight anymore. B. Neither do I. Let's bury the hatchet.
Note. 類似說法: Let's make peace
245. "我表現失常"
A. How did you do on the exam? B. Terrible. I've been off my game since I broke up with my girlfriend.
246. "你可以請教她"
A. Is Cecelia coming to the meeting tomorrow. B. Yes. You can pick her brain about what to do for the campaign.
247. "我身體好得很"
A. What did the doctor say when you went in for your checkup? B. He said that I'm fit as a fiddle.
Note. 類似說法: I'm healthy as a horse.
248. "照我的方法做, 不然就拉倒"
A. I don't like the way you are running your business. B. Feel free to quit. It's my way or the highway.
249. "我就為大家犧牲吧"
A. Not everyone can come to the company lunch tomorrow, as someone has to stay in the office. B.I'll just take one for the team. You guys have a good lunch.
A. I'm really sorry that you got fired from your job. B. That was months ago. It's all water under the bridge now. I have recovered from that.
Note. 類似說法: It's water over the dam.
239. "我豁出去了"
A. Wow! You're renting a banquet room in the the restaurant for your birthday party and spending the night at an expensive hotel? B. I sure am! I'm going the whole nine yards.
Note.yard 是長度單位, the whole nine yards 字面意思為整整九碼, 此說法源自不可考, 在此引申為 全力以赴, 用盡千方百計, 毫無保留之意. 類似說法: I am going all out.
240. "我病的不輕"
A. Do you think you will be coming to school tomorrow? B. I seriously doubt it. I'm sick as a dog.
Note. 類似說法: I're extremely ill; I'm really sick.
241. "我們直話直說吧"
A. I'd like to show you all of the features this top-of-the-line smartphone has. B.Let's cut to the chase. How much does it cost?
Note. top-of-the-line 指最高階, 品質最好的. 此說法源自早期電影剪輯手法, 當時觀眾認為影片的高潮就是追趕 (chase) 鏡頭, 所以若缺乏經驗的電影編劇或導演在精彩鏡頭出現前加入太多冗長對話, 電影公司高層就會說 cut to the chase 來指示刪減不必要的無聊片段. 類似說法: Let's go straight down to business; Lets get to the point; Stop beating around the bush
A. Let's move this heavy box into the corner. B. OK, easy does it. Don't drop it on your foot.
Note. 類似說法: Take your time; Don't rush; Take it easy
233 "別見外"
A. I have to get going. It was great seeing you again! B.Don't be a stranger! Come back and see me anytime.
234. "隨你便"
A. I don't want to go to see a movie tonight. B. Fine. Have it your way. I'll go to see t he file without you.
Note. 類似說法: Suit yourself; As your wish; Whatever makes you happy
235. "不要只是說說而已"
A. I think everyone should care about the environment. B. Don't just pay lip service. Think of things that you can do to help, like reducing the amount of electricity and water that you use.
236. "他還是有點跟不上"
A. How is the new employee you hired working out? B.He is still behind the curve, but he'll catch up soon enough.
Note. 反義: He is ahead of the curve
237. "清醒點吧!'
A. I don't think that the new rules will really affect me. B. Wake up and smell the coffee! These rules directly affect everyone who works in your department.
A. The main said he was at home the whole time the crime was taking place. B.It just doesn't add up. If he was at home, why wasn't his car at home, too?
Note. add up 在此用法中為不及物動詞, 表 "合理; 有意義", 做此義常用在否定句中, 表示 "說不通; 不合理". 類似說法: It just doesn't make sense.
227. "他高興的不得了"
A. How is John liking his new job? B.He's in seventh heaven. I've never seen him happier.
Note. 類似說法: He couldn't be happier
228. "我正在忙"
A. Let's go to the mall and do some shopping. B. Why don't you go by yourself? I'm already in the middle of something.
Note. 類似說法: I'm busy doing something.
229. "他們試圖掩飾問題"
A. Why has the company changed the brochures for their machines? B.They're trying to paper over the cracks.
230. "心意最重要"
A. You're only giving Sheila a card for her birthday? B. Yeah. It's the thought that counts.
Note. 類似說法: It's t he thought that matters.
231. "我老闆逼得我別無選擇"
A. Why did you agree to take on the new project. B.My boss pushed me into a corner. If I didn't do it, he was going to lower my salary.
A. A lot of people still break no-smoking laws in public buildings. B. I know. It seems as if the police have turned a blind eye to it.
Note. 類似說法: turn a deaf ear to sth (對 ... 充耳不聞)
224. "我問心無愧"
A. I don't think you're telling me the truth about where you were last night. B. Well, I did tell you the truth, so my conscience is clear.
Note. 名詞 conscience 為 "良心, 良知" 之意.
225. "眼不見為淨"
A. Why did you put those boxes of stuff in the closet? Aren't you supposed to go through them? B. Out of sight, out of mind. I'll deal with them when I have time.
