英文慣用語第十一集歸納篇(English Idioms Episode 11)
慣用語往往短小精悍，富於哲理，具有較高的概括性和表達性，眾多學者、語言學家和文字工作者對其推崇備至。慣用語無處不在，其形式和意義的約定俗成和文字的風趣幽默大大增強了語言的生命力和表現力。
─摘自《英漢成語異同比較》作者
肖芬(Xiao Fen)老師，中國，中南財經政法大學外語學院副教授。
內容如有錯誤請告知：freak07291955@gmail.com
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Content of English
Idioms Episode 11(21 Items)：
01. Build a castles in
the air/ Head In The Clouds/ Flights of Fancy or
Fantasy.
02. Bite the dust/ Kick the bucket.
03. Chew someone out/ A flea in one's ear/Finger-pointing / The
Blame Game.
04. To cast / put a damper on something & To throw/pour cold water
on something & Throw a wet blanket on & Burst your bubble &
Rain
on your parade.
05. Spill the beans/Let the cat out of
the bag/Tip-off.
06. Close shave/ A close call /In The Nick Of Time/
At the last
moment.
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01. Build a castles in the air/ Head In The Clouds/ Flights of Fancy or Fantasy
三個慣用語都有空中樓閣，不切實際或做白日夢的意思（something is not practical or day dreaming）。
三個慣用語都有空中樓閣，不切實際或做白日夢的意思（something is not practical or day dreaming）。
Build a castles
in the air的例句：
1. Mr. Bush tries to spend billions of dollars for missile defense system which some countries view as building a castle in the air.
布希先生想花上億經費發展飛彈防衛系統，一些國家認為不切實際。
2. Don't build castles in the air when you design this important project.
當你設計這項重要的計畫時，不可成為空中樓閣，不切實際。
3. He is the builder of castles in the air. 他是一位不切實際的人。
1. Mr. Bush tries to spend billions of dollars for missile defense system which some countries view as building a castle in the air.
布希先生想花上億經費發展飛彈防衛系統，一些國家認為不切實際。
2. Don't build castles in the air when you design this important project.
當你設計這項重要的計畫時，不可成為空中樓閣，不切實際。
3. He is the builder of castles in the air. 他是一位不切實際的人。
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4. Your mind was on something not so practical
castles in the air.
你腦子裡想的都是些不切合實際的事情。
5. He returned to his lodging with his head full of castle in the air.
他腦袋裡裝載著空中樓閣回到了寄宿處。
6. Theoreticians are busy building and refining the castles in the air of
the model world.理論家們忙於建立和改善模型世界中的空中樓閣。
7. Kirk is building castles in the air , he knows he'll never travel to
central Asia.柯克是在做白日夢，他明明知道他是決不可能去中亞旅行的。
8. If you don’t
study hard from now on , your ambition to enter Harvard university will be
just castles in the air.
如果你不從現在開始就努力學習，你想進哈佛的抱負就只是空中樓閣。
如果你建了空中樓閣，你的辛勞不是白費的；它理當在那裡。現在要做的，是在它下面鋪好地基。----Henry David
Thoreau (1817-1862)
圖1. If you have built castles in the air, your work need not
be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.Henry David Thoreau亨利·戴維·梭羅的名言
美國作家、哲學家、不和作主義者。他最著名的作品有散文集《湖濱散記》和《公民不服從》。《湖濱散記》記載了他在瓦爾登湖的隱逸生活，而《公民不服從》則討論面對政府和強權的不義，為公民主動拒絕遵守若干法律提出辯護。
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get one’s head in the clouds
＝have one's thoughts far away意思是想入非非
＝be daydreaming意思是做白日夢
＝be daydreaming意思是做白日夢
是指某人在做白日夢，老是脫離現實，想入非非；而Get your head out of the clouds.就是在勸誡人不要再做白日夢了。
Head In The
Clouds(想入非非／做白日夢)的例句：
1. John's head
is in the clouds again. He's talking about winning the
lottery.
2.
My son always has his head in the clouds. His teachers say
he never concentrates in class!
3.
You must have your head in the clouds if you think they're going to promote you
this year.
4. A good artist should have his head in the clouds sometimes, but his feet always on the ground.
一位好的藝術家有時應富於幻想, 但始終要腳踏實地。
5. Climb in the back with your head in the clouds.
你一頭栽入雲霧之中不斷向上攀爬。
6. The report he wrote was very optimistic; I think he has his head in the clouds. 他的報告寫得非常樂觀; 我看他太理想化了。
7. You have your head in the clouds？Only expert hikers can do that.
你是不是腦袋不太清楚? 只有專業登山者才可能做的到。
8. Sometimes a person with his head in the clouds can be brought back
to reality. 有時腦袋跑到九霄雲外的人可以被拉回到現實中。
9. She always has her head in the clouds, daydreaming about being a star.
她腦子總是想著不切實際的事, 幻想著能成為明星。
10. Rather than having his head in the clouds , Mr. Chen needs
to be more pragmatic. 陳先生不要老做白日夢，還是講究實際吧！
11. Amy wants to buy a car for $ 500 dollars. She has her head
in the clouds. The car is much more expensive than that.
艾米想要花500美元買一輛小汽車，她肯定是做白日夢了，一輛小汽車的價錢當然不止500美元。
艾米想要花500美元買一輛小汽車，她肯定是做白日夢了，一輛小汽車的價錢當然不止500美元。
Flights of
Fancy/Fantasy(想入非非, 異想天開)的例句：
1. Her latest flight of fancy is to go
camping in the Sahara desert!
她最近心血來潮想到撒哈拉沙漠去野營！
2. You were talking about cycling across the US, or was that just another flight of fancy?
3. My ambition is to become a film star, but it's probably just a flight of
2. You were talking about cycling across the US, or was that just another flight of fancy?
3. My ambition is to become a film star, but it's probably just a flight of
fancy. 我的抱負是想成為一名電影明星，但這也許只是異想天開。
4. The
authorities took their usual humorless approach to this flight of
fancy. 當局以一貫一本正經的行事風格對待這次異想天開之旅。
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5.
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5. A flight of fancy with one or two
others.
和一或兩個人一起的幻想之旅。
6. You said you want to
travel around china by bicycle , or it is just a flight of fancy.
你說你要騎車游遍全中國，還是這只是你的另一個異想天開。 |
02. bite the
dust/ kick the bucket兩種慣用語均表死亡（to die or to pass away）。
這慣用語是來自 希臘時代荷馬的伊里亞德(Homer's Iliad)，Homer描寫在特洛伊戰爭(Trojan War)時，許多將死的士兵在bite the dust。另外假如一個人摔倒在土地上，口裡會有泥土，也是在「咬塵埃」。所以bite the dust就是被打倒或死亡（to fall in defeat or to die）。
bite the dust的例句：動詞時態：bite, bit, bitten 或 bit。
1. Everyone will eventually bite the dust.人人最終都有一死。
2. After being hit by the car, the dog bit the dust.
這隻狗被汽車撞到後就死了。
3. Don't you feel awful when so many innocent people bit the dust during the war? 許多無辜的人在戰場上死亡，你不覺得可怕嗎？
4. It was such a serious battle that all the soldiers bit the dust. The native dedicated a monument in honor of them.
bite the dust的例句：動詞時態：bite, bit, bitten 或 bit。
1. Everyone will eventually bite the dust.人人最終都有一死。
2. After being hit by the car, the dog bit the dust.
這隻狗被汽車撞到後就死了。
3. Don't you feel awful when so many innocent people bit the dust during the war? 許多無辜的人在戰場上死亡，你不覺得可怕嗎？
4. It was such a serious battle that all the soldiers bit the dust. The native dedicated a monument in honor of them.
戰鬥進行得異常激烈，全體戰士全部陣亡。當地人們為紀念他們，建起了一座紀念碑。
5. My old bike choked, spluttered before finally biting
the dust.
6. The cavalry commander predicted that many Sioux would bite the dust if they attacked the fort.
6. The cavalry commander predicted that many Sioux would bite the dust if they attacked the fort.
騎兵指揮官預言，如果蘇族人進兵要塞，他們中有很多人會被打死。
7. I hope it
doesn't bite the dust before payday.
我希望它別在發薪之前完蛋。
8. Without a
fair hearing, one more promising career at Ford would bite the dust. 福特公司又一個人的美好前程就輕輕斷送了，而不容許申訴。
9. In the combat we made our enemy bite the dust.
在戰鬥中我們把敵人打得一敗塗地。
10. Another of my great ideas bites
the dust !
我的一個好主意又碰壁了。
我的一個好主意又碰壁了。
11. Does another mathematical
program bite the dust.
又一個數學問題被解決了嗎？
又一個數學問題被解決了嗎？
12. Another sponsor bite
the dust ? - they come , they go
又一個贊助商跑了？ 來來去去，是常事。
又一個贊助商跑了？ 來來去去，是常事。
13. Our team bit the dust today.我們的球隊今天輸得一塌糊塗。
14. He bit the dust before the class when the teacher scolded him in the morning. 老師早晨訓斥了他，這使他在全班同學面前顏面盡失。
15. During the war in Iraq , over one thousand American youngsters have bit the dust.
伊拉克的戰爭，導致一千多名美國年輕人死亡。
14. He bit the dust before the class when the teacher scolded him in the morning. 老師早晨訓斥了他，這使他在全班同學面前顏面盡失。
15. During the war in Iraq , over one thousand American youngsters have bit the dust.
伊拉克的戰爭，導致一千多名美國年輕人死亡。
16. Rowling isn't naming names , but
she has said at least two characters will bite the dust.
羅林沒有指名道姓，但她指出至少有兩個角色會大敗。
羅林沒有指名道姓，但她指出至少有兩個角色會大敗。
17. My fridge bit the dust last night .
i ' m hoping to get a new one really quickly before all my frozen foods thaw
out
昨天晚上我的冰箱徹底壞了。我想在裡面的食品還沒解凍，儘快買台新的。
昨天晚上我的冰箱徹底壞了。我想在裡面的食品還沒解凍，儘快買台新的。
kick the bucket據說在十七世紀就已在英國使用。因為當時處理死刑犯人時，要站在桶子（bucket）上，再把絞索（noose）套在脖子上，然後踢掉桶子，絞索就會拉緊而吊死。
kick the bucket最好不要用在講長輩或尊敬的對象的過世。
kick the bucket最好不要用在講長輩或尊敬的對象的過世。
通常是在講自己,或是可以開這種玩笑的對象。在有禮貌的談話中不太使用這慣用語。bucket 後面不加 s。
kick the bucket的例句：
1. I hope I will have no regrets when I kick the bucket someday.
2. The old farmer's sons fought over his farm after he kicked
the
bucket.
3. If he does not take care of himself, he may kick the bucket sooner or
3. If he does not take care of himself, he may kick the bucket sooner or
later. 假如他自己不多保重身體，遲早會死。
4. Eventually, all of us will kick the bucket.
最終，我們大家統統都要面臨死亡。
5. Your old friend Charley's not working here anymore. In fact we heard he kicked the bucket down in Texas last winter; he got kicked in the head by a horse he was trying to saddle up.
4. Eventually, all of us will kick the bucket.
最終，我們大家統統都要面臨死亡。
5. Your old friend Charley's not working here anymore. In fact we heard he kicked the bucket down in Texas last winter; he got kicked in the head by a horse he was trying to saddle up.
你的老朋友查理已經不在這兒做了。事實上，我們聽說他去年冬天已經在得克薩斯州死了，他在套馬的時候，那匹馬往他的頭上踢了一腳。
6. That old dog
next door finally kicked the bucket. He was sixteen years old, toothless, blind
and could hardly get around. Sixteen years is a long time for a dog, so it was
time for him to go.
隔壁的那條狗終於死了．那狗已經有十六歲了、牙都沒了、又瞎、行動也不方便．十六歲了，對狗來說也是時候了。
7. You're right, and it's enough to make one kick the bucket
here.
你的話是對的，這地方真夠把人悶死的。
8. When I kick the bucket, bury me on
top of that mountain.
如果我掛掉了，請把我埋在那座山頂上。
9. His heirs were greedily waiting for him to kick the bucket.
他的那些繼承人正貪婪地等他死。
10. What do you know is sadder than the sun, you don't even have
bucket to kick!
人這一生最最痛苦的事情你知道是什麼嗎？就是人活著呢，錢沒了。
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03. chew someone out/ a flea in one's ear尖刻的斥責，譏諷。/Finger-pointing
& The Blame Game.交相指責與諉過於人。
chew someone out的例句：
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當一個人嚴厲責罵別人時，通常舌頭動得特別猛，於是一些作家把它形容成「猛咬」（fast chewing），似乎把人家咬碎了。
1. The woman supervisor was almost chewing him out because of his frequent tardiness.由於他經常遲到，女老闆把他臭罵一頓。 2. I am afraid I shall be chewed out if I don't do it right. 假如我做得不對，我怕會被惡罵一頓。
3. He devoted a full column to chewing out government for illegal
wiretapping. 他用整欄的篇幅嚴厲譴責政府的非法竊聽措施。
Blame＝To find fault with＝censure＝To criticize severely.＝ To condemn
censure比blame詞意強，常用於上級一本正經地責備下級，經常是當面地責備某人，責備的言辭可能很難聽。
圖2. 此圖中提到之criticize、condemn、complain等都有責罵抱怨的意思。
a flea in one's
ear的例句：
1. The idea about changing the schedules is a flea in the supervisor's ear that we wish he would forget.
2. Don't blame me if you come back with a flea in your ear!
你要是碰了釘子回來可別。
我們正在開會他闖了進來，大家把他轟走了。
他想吻她，但她卻讓他碰了“釘子”，怏怏離去。
老闆今天脾氣很壞。我打碎了1個盤了，他就罵了我一頓把我趕走了。
我僅僅是去徵求主任的意見，但他正發火，把我大罵一通趕出來。
他被譏諷的話氣走了。
她若再來麻煩我，我就讓她碰個釘子。
如果他再來打擾的話，我就要對他不客氣了。
12. That spotty teenager had the cheek to ask me for a dance so I sent him away with a flea in his ear.
那個粉刺很多的少年竟厚臉皮請我跳舞，我卻用譏誚話把他氣走了。
13. If he tried to take over my little operation, he'd soon get a flea in his ear. 如果他想搶走我的小生意，我馬上就要氣氣他。
14. The gardener sent the boy off with a flea in his ear and told him not to walk on the flower beds again.
花匠用責駡聲趕走了那男孩，並叫他不要再在花壇上走。
Finger-pointing的例句：
Finger-pointing 的定義：The act of blaming
someone for something; the imputation of blame. 因為某事情而指責某人。
· 1. Fragmentation of rule writing, supervision and
enforcement led to finger-pointing in place of
effective action.
法規制定、監管和執行散亂，導致在需採取有效行動時相互指責。
2. They want all the finger - pointing
about intelligence failures to
stop. 他們希望停止所有針對情報失誤的指責。
33. Past elections
involved clashes of ideas and angry finger - pointing
between the big parties.
剛剛過去的選舉中包含了大黨派之間的想法和行動的衝突。
44. There's a lot of finger
- pointing throughout this case.
這件事上大家總是互相指責.
55. We see the futility of finger - pointing. 我們看到指責毫無益處。
the blame game的例句：
1. Harry Truman, who
was President from 1945 to 1952, was one man who did not play the blame game. He
had a sign on his desk: The Buck Stops Here.
杜魯門從1945到1952年間擔任美國總統，他是一個不願意推卸責任的人，他在桌子上放了一塊牌子，上面寫著「我負責」這幾個字。
2. I'm not going to play the blame game and say who's
at fault that so many people are out of work. But I have to tell you my
opponent did vote against three bills to create new jobs.
我不會把造成那麼多人失業的責任推給別人，我不會使用那種推卸責任的把戲．但是，我得告訴你們，在國會就三項有關創造新就業機會的提案投票的時候，我的對手投的是反對票。
3. In fact the blame game must start at the beginning.
事實上，這個責備遊戲需要從最初開始。
4. Decide today to give up the blame game and take
responsibility for your own life by mastering the art of self-discipline.
從今天開始決定放棄指責的遊戲，而開始通過學習自律，來為你自己的生活承擔起責任。
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04. to cast / put a damper on something
&
to throw/pour cold water on something & throw a wet blanket on & burst your
bubble & rain on your
parade
粉碎人的美夢，潑人冷水。
一、 to throw/pour cold water on something的例句：
1. Stop throwing cold water on
my proposal!
2. Our parents threw cold
water on our plan to camp in the
mountains because they thought it was dangerous.
父母親給我們去山裡野營的計畫潑冷水，他們認為不那樣做太危險。
3. He poured cold water on my
championship hopes, saying that my opponent could easily beat me.
我爭奪冠軍的希望，遭他大潑冷水：他說我的對手可輕易取勝
二、to cast / put a damper on something的例句：
damper是指火爐的節風閘板。When the
damper is closed, the fire goes out (關上節風閘板，爐火就會熄滅。)引伸其義成為潑冷水。
1. The cold
weather put a damper
on our plans.
寒冷的天氣給我們的計畫潑了冷水。
2. John's wet
blanket and put a damper
on everything.
約翰是一個枯燥無味的人,他對什麼都是乾巴巴的.
3. A death in the family put a damper on our
Christmas celebrations.
家中的喪事使我們的聖誕慶祝會變得令人掃興.
4. Normally that situation would put a damper on
demand.
通常這種情況會降低對債券的需求.
5. However, morning sickness and fatigue can put a damper on anyone's
libido. 顯然,早晨的不適及疲勞會影響性慾。
6. This unwelcome
news put a damper on
the celebrations.
這個不受歡迎的消息使慶祝會頗為掃興.
7. Rain put a damper on our picnic plans.
下雨毀掉了我們的野餐計畫,讓我們很掃興.
8. Jealousy and
anger will put a damper
on what could be a very good
week romantically.
嫉妒和憤怒只會傷害雙方的感情,讓浪漫的一周蒙上陰影.
9. Avoid
negative friends, well meaning relatives and others who put a
damper on your dreams.
少接觸做事消極的朋友, 或者那些雖是善意的卻否定你的夢想的人.
10. I just hope
that whole pony incident didn't put
a damper on the
trip.
我只是希望整個小馬兒事件不會讓你們這次來訪敗興而歸.
11. I hate to put a damper on
your party, but you are too loud.
我不願給你們的聚會潑冷水, 但是你們也太大聲了.
12. Other
differences between films and music may also put a damper
on Apple's
ambitions.
電影與音樂的其它差別可能抑制蘋果公司的野心.
13. Her icy attitude cast a damper
on our enthusiasm.
她冷淡的態度，使我們熱情大減。
三、throw
cold water on的例句：
1.
I thought my idea was great, but my boss threw cold water on it.
2. Stop throwing cold water on me.
3. Everybody else in the office thought my idea was great, but
the boss
threw cold water on it.
辦公室裡所有的人都認為我的主意很好，就是我們的老闆給我潑冷水。
辦公室裡所有的人都認為我的主意很好，就是我們的老闆給我潑冷水。
4. I've been planning to go to medical school but my dad threw
cold
water on this idea the other day when he told me he wasn't sure he
had the money to pay my
tuition for so long.
我一直想上醫學院。可是，那天我爸爸給我潑冷水，說他不一定有能力替我
我一直想上醫學院。可是，那天我爸爸給我潑冷水，說他不一定有能力替我
付那麼多年的學費。
圖3. throw
cold water on 潑冷水。
四、 throw
a wet blanket on 的例句：
1. Peter likes to throw a wet blanket on the discussion.
2. He is such a wet blanket.
1. Peter likes to throw a wet blanket on the discussion.
2. He is such a wet blanket.
五、 burst
my bubble的例句：
1. I had a
great idea for a new website, until George burst my bubble and told me someone
had already got there first.
2. I'm sorry to
burst
your bubble, but the party has been cancelled.
3. I hate to
burst your bubble, but you won't be getting a pay rise this
year.
當什麼東西 bubbles up 這就說這個東西漲起來了，或者可理解為什麼事情突然出現或發生了。
4. Anger and unrest have been bubbling
up across parts of the city
today.
六、rain on your parade的例句：
01. Jason: Hey baby, I made a
reservation to this great restaurant on 12/22.寶貝，我訂了12月22號的高級餐廳。
Jenny: Oh, sorry to rain on your parade, but I’ll have to work that day. 我不是想要潑你的冷水，但那天我要上班。
Jenny: Oh, sorry to rain on your parade, but I’ll have to work that day. 我不是想要潑你的冷水，但那天我要上班。
02. I don't want to rain on your parade, but I think the proposal you made is not
workable.我不想掃你的興，但我覺得你的提案行不通。
圖4. rain on your parade潑人冷水。
05. Spill the beans＝Let the cat out
of the bag(洩漏機密)另外tip-off為告密。
Spill The Beans的例句：
1. We are
doomed, Paul spilled the beans about the party.
2. Play hooky.
I won't spill the beans.
翹課吧，我不會說的。
3. I bet Polly
you'd spill the beans to that reporter.
我跟Polly打賭你跟那記者說了一切。
4. That Sue Ellen just can't keep her mouth shut! I
invited her to our surprise party for Mary, and she went and spilled
the beans to Mary. She says she's sorry but she certainly spoiled the
surprise!
那個Sue
Ellen，她就是閉不上她那張嘴．我請她參加為Mary舉行的聚會，但是事先不要告訴Mary可是，她跑去告訴了Mary。她說她很抱歉，但是她卻破壞了我們要讓Mary感到很驚喜的計劃。”
5. I planned to have the abortion first and then tell
Frank. But I made a mistake by telling his mother about my plan. She spilled
the beans and Frank was so mad that he didn't talk to me for a whole month.
我原來計劃先去人工流產，然後再告訴Frank可是，我犯了一個錯誤，把我的計劃告訴了他媽媽．她又不小心說漏了嘴Frank聽了好生氣，整整一個月沒跟我說話。
6. When
you see your friend ` s guy with another girl , do you spill the beans？如果你看見你朋友的男朋友跟別的女人在一起，你會不會去告密？
7. One
of the robbers got caught and he spilled the beans on his partner.
一個搶劫犯被抓到了，他一五一十地招供出了他的夥伴。
一個搶劫犯被抓到了，他一五一十地招供出了他的夥伴。
8. I'm
afraid your father spilled the beans about Noah.
我想大概是你爸爸把諾亞的事情告訴了他
我想大概是你爸爸把諾亞的事情告訴了他
9. It's
no use to hide. He has spilled the beans already.
隱瞞是沒有用的，他早已洩漏了秘密。
隱瞞是沒有用的，他早已洩漏了秘密。
Let the cat out of the bag的例句：
1. We tried to keep the party a surprise for my
mother but my sister let the cat out of the bag.
我們原打算來一個晚會使媽媽意想不到，但我妹妹洩露了秘密。
2. I let the cat out of the bag with only one day to go.
只剩最後一天了，我卻洩露了秘密。
3. Really? Who let the cat out of the
bag?
是嗎？是誰洩露了秘密？
4. Did you let the cat out of the
bag yet?
你把秘密洩露出去了嗎？
5. I accidently let the cat out of the
Bag.
我不小心洩漏秘密。
6. I bought a nice wrist watch as a
surprise for my wife's birthday. But I'm afraid I let the cat out of the bag. I hid it under my socks and she found it when she was putting my clean
clothes away.
我給我太太買了一隻很好的手錶作為生日禮．我把手錶藏在我的襪子底下，可是當我太太替我把乾淨衣服放好的時候，她發現了那隻手錶．所以，我的秘密恐怕已經洩露了。
7. It was supposed to be a secret that
we were firing our accountant for stealing money. But one of the secretaries
saw the memo and let the cat out of the bag by telling her friends.
我們解雇了我們的會計，因為他偷錢．這件事原來是應該保密的．但是，一個秘書看見了一張有關這件事情的條子，然後就告訴了她的朋友，這樣就洩露了秘密。
|
Authentic Real English about let the cat out of the bag
Cat: Miaoooowwwwww!
Will: Hello, I'm William.
Li: Hi, I'm Li. Will, 我希望你花錢買這隻貓是有原因的，你瞧，牠嚇死了!
Will: I wanted to explain an English phrase. And I
brought Whiskers to help.
Cat: Miaow.
Li: 你幹嘛要把牠塞到口袋裏？咱們趕緊講解今天的實境英語短語吧，然後你就可以讓這可憐的貓解放了。
Will: Okay, okay. So, right, Li, I'm going to tell you
a very big secret.
Li: Yes?
Cat: Miaow?
Will: But you must promise never to let the cat out of the bag!
Li: No, we must let him out, he is unhappy.
Li
insists to let the cat out of the bag.
Cat: Miaow!
Will: No, no. In English, when we say 'you mustn't let the cat out of the bag, it
means that something is a secret and that you mustn't tell anyone.
Li: 啊，不讓貓從口袋裏出來這個短語的意思並不是說口袋裏真的有只貓，而是表示不要透露秘密，要保守秘密。
Cat: Miaow.
Will: Exactly. I brought Whiskers in just to help you
remember the expression. If you let the cat out of
the bag, it
means that you reveal the truth.
Li: To let the cat out of
the bag 意思是公開秘密。
Will: Yes. Listen to some examples.
8. We need to
keep this quiet! If anyone lets the cat out of the bag there'll be
trouble!
9. We were
going to have a surprise birthday for dad, but my silly brother let the cat out of the bag the day before.
10. Well the cat's out of the bag now. Everyone knows
Amy will be given the lead role.
Li: Okay I get it.
Cat: Miaow.
Li: 咱們短語歸短語，不過在你把這隻可憐的貓從這個口袋裏放出來之前，我不想聽你的秘密，你看牠叫得多可憐呢！I'm going to let it out!
Cat: Miaoooowwwwww!
Li: Owwwwww!
Will: Li, I actually meant it when I said don't let the cat out of the bag. Whiskers is a bit crazy.
Li: 你的貓太兇，走開，我真不該同情這只惡貓!
Will: Well, now you'll remember not to let the cat out of the bag next time!
|
圖5. Let the cat out of the bag.
密報; 告密A tip-off
is a piece of information or a warning that you give to someone, often
privately or secretly.
1. The man was
arrested at his home after a tip-off to police from a member of
the public.
在一名群眾向警方舉報以後，那人就在家裡被逮捕了。
2. She tipped off the
authorities about the coup.
她向當局告密說會有軍事政變。
她向當局告密說會有軍事政變。
3. They tipped me off about a good bargain.
他們將一筆賺錢生意的情報洩露給我。
4. Journalists who were tipped off about the incident raced
to the scene.事先聽到有關此事風聲的新聞記者爭先恐後趕赴現場。
5. The man was
arrested after an anonymous tip-off.
有人匿名舉報後，那個人被抓了起來。
6. That might tip off what the real price should be.
只要他出價，賭簽的真實總值也就可能有個眉目了。
7. Did Nancy
want him to tip off the IRS confidentially?
Nancy是否希望他秘密地向國內稅收局報個信？
8. Acting on a tip-off, the police arrested the drug smugglers.
警方根據密報逮捕了毒品走私者。
9. They got a tip-off on the raid. 他們得到突擊檢查的警告。
10. Since they're difficult to copy, the serial number should tip
off a counterfeit bill. 而序號又難以複製, 因此通過它可以檢驗出假鈔.
11. The judge called for a pitcher of water, a tip - off
that the session would be long. 法官要了一大杯水, 這表明審判要延續很長一段時間.
12. The police were
given a tip - off .有人向警方告密。
13. Ray Allen once dunked
the ball in his own hoop following tip - off a high school senior.
Ray Allen曾經在他高中時在一次跳球後把籃球扣進了自家籃筐.
14. We will try to be efficient and to control them from the tip - off.
我們會努力保持效率,並從一開始就控制住他們.
15. Jennie
lies after cheating Frank’s father, run immediately go upstairs tip off information.
Jennie撒謊騙了Frank父親後, 馬上跑上樓通風報信.
06. Close call/close
shave/In The Nick Of
Time/ At the last moment.千鈞一髮之際、生死存亡關頭。
Close call的例句：
|
Actually, close call means that you
narrowly avoided danger. Something bad could have happened to you, but you
narrowly avoided a bad situation.
原來 close call 就是說，差一點發生倒霉的事，我算是逃避了這倒霉事．我可以說，今天我差一點就給車撞了．對不對？
Yeah, that's right.
那～， close call 是不是一定得用在跟生命危險有關的場合呢？
Not really. Let me give you another example：
00. The paper you and I turned in this week was almost late. That was
also a close call.
對對對！那教授啊，讓我們在星期二前把報告交給他，我們是星期一晚上才去交的，差一點就過了限期，這也可以說是close call。下回啊，我可再也不敢這麼做了。
|
01. The car almost ran me over .It was a close call.
那輛汽車差點把我碾死，真是死裡逃生。
02. Phew! That was a close call—she
nearly saw us!
喔，真險！她差點看到我們。
03. Joe had a close call when his
motorbike nearly collided with a lorry.
喬的摩托車差點同卡車相撞，他僥倖地躲過了。
04. That was a close call, the
train nearly hit the car.
好險，火車差一點就撞上那部車子。
05. Whew! That was a close call! I
almost walked into a pole.
哇！好險！我差一點就撞到了一根柱子。
06.
The opinion polls predicted the election could go either way. But none of us
expected that it would turn into such a close call. It's a mere few hundred votes that make the difference on
who is going to be the next president.
民意測驗早就預計兩位候選人都有贏得這次大選的可能，但是大家卻萬萬沒料到這次選舉結果會如此接近以致難定勝負；僅僅數百票的差別就決定究竟是誰當選下屆總統。
07. When the rock missed him it was a close call. 他差點被落石擊中。
08. Actually, Frank, close call means that you narrowly avoided
danger.
原來close call就是說,差一點發生倒楣的事,我算是逃避了這倒楣事.
09. That was a close call! We nearly hit that car.
真是好險 啊 ,我們差點撞著那輛汽車.
10. We almost missed the train. That was a close call!
我們差一點就趕不上火車了. 真是好險 啊 !
11. Dick: I heard you had a close call this morning.
Dick:我聽說你今天早上是千鈞一髮。
12. And the answer is No. It's
actually not even
a close call.
答案是否定的,甚至可以說連一點點接近答案都沒有。
13. Bob,
that car nearly hit us! What a close call.
Bob, 那輛車差一點就撞到我們了! 真是千鈞一髮.
14. The bus almost ran him over. It was a close call.
那輛汽車差點把他碾死, 真可謂死裡逃生.
15. We had a close call on the freeway this morning.
今天早晨在高速公路上,我們在一起交通事故中僥倖脫險.
16. They will fall but it is a close call.
歐元區利率將會下跌但這種可能性也不是特別大.
17. It was a close call, but luckily enemy had had aim.
真是千鈞一髮, 不過,很幸運地,敵人找錯了目標.
18. A close call, but for the White House a useful boost.
貿易談判倖免於難, 但是對白宮來說鼓舞巨大.
19. That was a close call. We almost had an accident.
剛剛真是千鈞一髮, 我們差點就出車禍了.
20. The heroes escaped that close call as well.
英雄們又一次從這個千鈞一髮的境地逃了出來.
21. I almost hurt my leg when I played football this morning. It was
close call. 我今天早上踢球時差點弄傷腿.
真是好險啊!
22. I agree.
That was a close call. Another inch and you'd be dead.
我同意. 那真是千鈞一髮.
再近一些時,你就死了.
23. Oh, my God ! Are you okay? Geez, that was really a close call.
24. The Marines got their final close call as they assessed the compound for damage. 海軍陸戰隊的接到了停止攻擊的命令,並估計了敵方的損失。
25. Air Force One had a close call with the commuter plane the other day. 總統專機空軍一號與民用飛機差點出事。
26. I sold my stock just before the market crashed. It was really a close
call.
我在股市下跌之前就把股票全拋了.真玄!
27. That same year I experienced an even more close call with
Yogi Chen
at Timber Cave!
同年我與陳上師在Timber Cave也經歷了一個更千鈞一髮的事件.
Close shave＝A narrow escape＝Close call ＝In The Nick Of
Time.千鈞一髮 死裡逃生。
圖6. Close call. 千鈞一髮。
close
shave的例句：
01. Wow, that was a close
shave.哇，那次是僥倖脫險。
02. The car passed this close to
us——a
real close call.
那輛汽車緊挨著我們擦邊而過——真是死裡逃生。
好險呀！汽車差一點撞到那輛嬰兒車。
04. His life is no longer in danger, but it was a close shave.
他不再有生命危險了,但那真是死裡逃生。
他不再有生命危險了,但那真是死裡逃生。
In The Nick Of Time的例句：
Nick是用刀子等銳器劃下的刻痕，原本是重要大事的戳記。in the
nick或in the very nick都是指到了某個「重要時刻」。
01. We arrived just
in the nick of the time. Another five minutes, our plane would have
left without us.
02. Sam was experimenting with stir frying last night
and the wok caught fire. Luke rushed in with the fire blanket just
in the nick of time.
03. I reached
the airport in the very nick of time and made my flight
04. You've come in the nick of time!
你來得正是節骨眼上!
05. It was Kuei Chang - Lin
arriving in the nick of time with a
squad of
policemen. 這是桂長林帶著一班員警不遲不早趕到了!
06. You arrived just in the
nick of time.
你來得正是時候.
at the last moment的例句：
01. He caught his train at the last moment. 他在最後一刻趕上了火車。
02. His courage failed him at the last moment.
他在最後一刻失去了勇氣。
03. I hope I can depend on you not to back out at the last moment.
我希望能信賴你不至於最後關頭撒手不做。
04. At the last moment the player was able to hit the ball in.
在最後一刻,那位運動員終於擊進了一球。
05. At the last moment, the
player was able
to hit the ball in and so ensure his team's victory.
關鍵時刻, 那個球員踢進一球,從而確保該隊的勝利。
06. The second time,
also,
he sent word, but at the last moment.
第二次, 他也讓人帶了話, 但是已臨近開飯的時間。
07. She was always reluctant at this last moment, always a little
fearful. 她每次進教堂前的這一瞬間總有點猶豫, 總有點怕。
08. Sam pulled out to the scheme at the last moment.
Sam於最後一刻退出那項計畫。
09. Today, until the last moment, his movements had to appear
normal. 今天, 直到最後一刻,
他的言行舉止都不能有絲毫異常。
10. He cried off the project at the last moment.
他在最後時刻退出了這項計畫。
11. The military might back off at the last moment.
到最後片刻,軍方有可能打退堂鼓。
12. We always leave our packing to till the last moment.
我們總是到臨行前才收拾行李。
13. He held back at the last moment, and lost excellent opportunity.
他在最後的片刻猶豫了, 因而失掉了極好的機會。
14. She turned up at the last moment. 她在最後一分鐘來了。
15. He gave in only at the last moment because he had no alternative.
他只是在最後一刻因為沒有選擇才作了讓步。
16. If we turn on them at the last moment where will they be, eh?
假使我們在最後關頭同他們翻臉,他們往哪兒去呢
在選舉的最後時刻，Bob以微弱的多數勝過Henry。
我是說過要去的，但事到臨頭卻不得不改變了主意。
他說他要幫我們的忙，但最後卻丟開我們不管了。
我希望你絕對不會在最後的時刻變卦。
他答應做這項工作，但到最後一刻卻突然不幹了。
22. At the last
moment, Tom hit the ball in and so ensure their team's victory. 在最後的關頭，湯姆打進了一球，這樣就確保了他們球隊的勝利。
他在最後一刻失去了勇氣。
他往往到最後的一瞬間才急忙趕來。
很多人在得救的道路上失敗,不是因為他們沒有付出努力,而是因為他們努力得不夠!
圖7. At the last moment. 最後一刻。
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