容易被误解的英语俚语:千万别“望文生义”
2018-11-08 10:16
来源:沪江
作者:
俚语篇已经写过多次了,今天依然延续“望文生义”风格,看看这些容易被误解的表达。
前两天看到一篇文章里出现了for a song,但是上看下看都觉得这主题跟音乐没有一毛钱关系。“为了一首歌”?完全对不上意思,查询之后才发现for a song表示“廉价的”。
这大概就是语言学习的乐趣之一,熟悉的词在一起组成全新的意思,了解它们不仅有助于日常交际,还更显地道。
1
CHANGE YOUR TUNE / SING A DIFFERENT TUNE
改变了看法或主意。
You've definitely changed your tune since the last time I saw you! You used to hate this town!
自从上次见面以后,你的态度就变了!原来你很讨厌这个城市的!
2
FACE THE MUSIC
不得不接受负面后果
I'm not ready to face the music. I need to figure it out for myself before I speak to them.
我还没准备好面对这一切。和他们说话之前,我自己要弄清楚。
3
PLAY BY EAR
随机应变,在没有指南或规定的情况下,即兴处理某事。
I don't know what I'm going to say when she gets here, I'll just play it by ear.
待她来时,我不知道自己要说些什么,随机应变吧。
4
SEE YOU ON THE BIG DRUM
用来对孩子说晚安。
Okay, get some sleep now. See you on the big drum.
好啦,该休息啦。晚安。
5
AS CLEAN AS A WHISTLE
指某物非常干净。
He may come across as someone who could’ve been involved in that robbery, but I have checked his records and they’re as clean as a whistle.
他让人觉得极像上次参与劫案的劫匪,可我查了他的档案,并没有什么不良记录。
6
CALL THE TUNE
发号施令,用于描述做重大决定之人。
I'm afraid I can't help you sir. Barbara calls the tune around here, so you'd have to speak to her.
恐怕我帮不上什么忙,先生。这里芭芭拉说了算,你可以跟她谈谈。
7
WHISTLE FOR IT
痴心妄想:如果有人对你说这句话,那么这意味着他们认为你一定得不到自己想要的东西。
You can whistle for it as much as you like, this is an heirloom of our family and will stay with us!
随便你怎么想,这是我们的传家宝,你休想得到!
8
CLEAR AS A BELL
形容某事十分清楚、便于理解。
His instructions were as clear as a bell, everyone knew exactly what they were supposed to do.
他的指示十分清楚,每个人都知道自己应该做什么。