9个英语“成语”你能看懂吗:When pigs fly作何解?

1.Do a Devon Loch

Devon Loch是一匹赛马,在1959年的英格兰国家比赛中遥遥领先的过程中,突然跌倒。Do a Devon Loch是一种比喻,用来形容即将胜利的球队或运动员突然发生的最后一分钟的失败。

racehorse

Example: It was shocking how Manchester United did a Devon Loch in the last minutes of the match against Arsenal!

2. Bob’s your uncle

用于一切都很好的情况下,有时候跟着“"and Nellie's your aunt" 或者"and Fanny's your aunt."使用。这个词来源不明,用起来还是很有趣的。

Example: You want to go to the market? Go straight on until you reach the main road, take the first right, and Bob’s your uncle–you’re there!

3. Do a runner

Do a runner

Example: At this point,the con artist did a runner with all her money.

4. Enough to cobble dogs with

这个短语并非是修鞋,它可以指代任何东西的剩余,可能的逻辑是:如果修鞋匠有足够的皮革做一只狗的话,那么肯定有剩余……


cobbler repairs shoes

Example: We’ve got enough beer in this party to cobble dogs with.

5. Fall off the back of a lorry

英式幽默,说你买到了可能是别人偷来的东西,或者你想卖偷窃到的或非法的东西。美国的话可以这样: “off the back of a truck.”

Example: I don’t know where you get this stuff. I suspect off the back of a lorry.

6. Hairy at the heel

毛茸茸的脚后跟?这个贬义词最初是由英国上层阶级用来指一个没有教养、危险或不值得信赖的人。

Example: I can’t say I like Bob. I’ve once or twice had a row with him. He’s a bit hairy at the heel.

Hairy at the heel

7. For donkey’s years

驴年?这个英式表达戏谑地暗示了动物们工作了相当长的时间,没有任何成绩可以展示,差不多就是碌碌无为的意思。

Example: I’ve been a plumber for donkey’s years. It’s time for a change.

8. All talk and no trousers

光说不干,或者是:All mouth and no trousers。可以说"你都是嘴" (you're all mouth)。这个表达最好是在朋友之间用用,不然陌生人会觉得你没礼貌。

Example: Be careful. Politicians are known to be all mouth and no trousers.

9. When pigs fly

猪不会飞(在风口上就说不定了,滑稽),差不多是永不可能的意思。一说源于1500年代后期的苏格兰,一说出现在刘易斯•卡罗尔1865年的小说《爱丽丝梦游仙境》中。

When pigs fly

Example: Yea, right! You will get Justin Bieber to ask you on a date when pigs fly!

10. Cat got your tongue

想象一只猫咬住或者抓住你的舌头!你会说话吗?这就是这个短语的意思。不过你的沉默是可疑的。这个成语源于中世纪,和女巫有关。据说如果你看到一个女巫,她的猫会抓住你的舌头,让你没法说话。

Example: Come on, Bob! Tell us what you think about our little party. What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?

更多新鲜有趣的文章:http://www.reading-china.com/yingyubaike/