习语集锦（二）
（1）Above all— most importantly
— 最重要的；尤其
Example: A successful person must be learned, healthy and, above all, diligent.
(2) Above average
— above the ordinary standard
— 在一般水平以上
Example: Helen's school work is above average; she is better than the majority of her classmates.
(3) Above criticism/ suspicion
— someone or something that cannot be criticised/ suspected
— 无可批评／怀疑
Examples: ① Most of the artist's paintings were so well painted that they were above criticism.
② For the sake of dignity, judges ought to be above suspicion.
(4) Back-breaking task/work, a
— a demanding or exhausting task or work
— 使人筋疲力尽的工作
Example: Digging the hard soil in the garden under the hot sun is really a back-breaking task.
(5) Backfire on someone
— have an unexpected effect opposite to the effect intended
— 产生出乎意料以及事与愿违的结果
Example: John's new scheme backfired on him and he lost a lot of money.
(6) Backroom boy, a/the
— a person whose work is important but secret
— 在幕后默默工作的人
Example: The factory-expansion project has been a great success, but we should not forget the backroom boy who has played an important part.
(7) Call someone names
— insult someone by applying rude names
— 侮辱某人
Example: They keep calling him names by shouting things like \"Big head!\" and \"Four eyes!\".
(8) Call someone to account
— demand an explanation from someone
— 要求某人解释某事
Example: The officer called a soldier to account for not saluting him.
(9) Call something in(to) question
— raise doubts about something
— 怀疑某事物
Examples: ① Tom's inability to do work efficiently called into question his suitability for being promoted to a higher position.
② The government's good intentions have sometimes been called in question.
(10) Darby and Joan
— devoted elderly couple
— 恩爱的老年夫妇
Example: Eric and Irene have been so devoted to each other since their marriage 35 years ago that they are described as \"Darby and Joan\".
(11) Dare someone to do something (dangerous)
— challenge someone to do something dangerous
— 激某人做某事（危险的事）；挑战
Example: We dared our timid friend, Kelvin, to spend a night near the graveyard.
1. Half an eye
— a quick look 一看就明白
Example: The new teacher could see with half an eye that Jim was going to have trouble with some boys who disagreed with him.
2. Half-and-half
— as much one thing as the other
— 不好也不坏；差强人意的
Example: That much-publicised movie was neither good nor bad; it was just half-and-half.
3. Half-baked idea
— an idea that has not been properly thought out
— 考虑不周的念头
Example: I don't think it wise to adopt his half-baked idea unless it is further developed.
4. I would if I could but I can't
— I would like to do something worthwhile, but I am unable to
— 我很想做某事但不能
Example: X: Marry me while there is still time.
Y: I would if I could but I can't. I have a good boy friend.
5. I wouldn't say no
— I would readily agree
— 我一定同意／答应
Example: - Have another cup of beer, OK?
- Well, I wouldn't say no.
6. Jib at doing something
— be unwilling to do something
— 不肯做某事
Example: I don't mind mopping the floor, but I jib at cleaning the walls.
7. Join/ combine forces (with someone)
— come together for a common purpose
— 与某人联合以达到共同的目的
Examples: 1. The two immediate neighbouring countries have joined forces to fight their common enemy.
2. We must combine forces with the new friends to set up the tent.
8. Of high calibre
— of top quality
— 质量或能力高
Example: A good government places only people of high calibre in key positions.
9. Of no/ little avail
— of no/ little use
— 没有一点儿／只有小小用处
Examples: 1. Janet tried hard, but her efforts were of little avail.
2. The U.S. advised the two hostile countries not to use force, but the advice was of no avail.
10. Parting of the ways, a
— the point where the road divides
— 一分为二的地方；三岔路口
Example: The two tourists stood undecided at a parting of the ways.
— a deciding point
— 须在两者之间抉择的关键
Example: Kenneth has come to a parting of the ways: going to work or continuing with the study?
11. Pat someone on the back/ give someone a pat on the back
— clap lightly on someone's back for praise, support, etc.
— 轻拍某人表示赞扬、鼓励等
Examples: 1. The basketball coach patted every player on the back with a smile.
2. Jason, our lecturer, gave each of us a pat on the back and uttered a few encouraging words.
1. Above/over one's head: too difficult for someone to understand. 难以理解
Example: What John had said was well above my head; he should have made his speech simpler and clearer.
2. Above oneself: self-satisfied; conceited.
得意忘形；自高自大
Example: Peter was above himself after he was promoted to a higher position.
3. Above/below par: at a price higher/lower than the original value. (价格) 在一般水平以上／以下
Examples: (1) Most of the good shares are expensive and above par now.
(2) When the market is bad, it is possible
to purchase the stock at a price below par.
4. Back-seat driver, a/the:
(i) the bossy person in a car who always tells the driver what to do. 对司机胡乱指点的乘客
Example: Most of us disliked the back-seat driver who was too arrogant.
(ii) a person who repeatedly gives advice without being asked for it. 自动乱给劝告的人
Example: Let the officer-in-charge handle the
matter; don't be nosey like a back-seat driver.
5. Backstairs influence/talk:secret or indirect influence/talk. 秘密或间接的影响或谈话
Examples: (1) I think his wife has backstairs influence on his decisions.
(2) It is discourteous to have this type of backstairs talk about the new manager.
6. Bad blood between one person and another: ill-feeling between two persons. 仇恨；厌恶
Example: The unfair distribution of the father's assets caused the bad blood between the two siblings.
7. Calculate on/upon (doing)something:depend on (doing)something. 指望；依靠
Examples: (1) We calculate on making an early start in this matter.
(2) Don't calculate upon the weather being fine for tomorrow's basketball match.
8. Call a spade a spade: say exactly what you mean.直言不讳
Example: I am a frank person often calling a spade a spade. Hope you don't mind.
9. Cocoon someone from/against something:keep someone in a protective covering.盖在保护层里
Example: It may not be a good thing to cocoon one's child from the realities of a cruel life.
10. Dark horse, a: a person of unknown abilities and may spring a surprise. 黑马（有本事而深藏不露的人）
Example: No one expected him to run very fast, but he proved to be a dark horse this time and won the race.
11. Dash off: (i) write hurriedly. 匆匆地写
Example: Dan dashed off a letter to his friend while waiting for the plane at the airport.
(ii) leave or move away in a hurry. 猛冲
Example: It is late now; I must dash off to the bus stop before the last bus leaves.
12. Half the battle: a large part of the work.
至关重要的一部分（工作）
Example: To know your faults and decide to correct them can be half the battle of self-improvement.
13. Hallmark of something, a: a typical feature of something. 某事的特征
Example: Conciseness in wording is a hallmark of good writing.
14. Hammer away at something: keep working on something. 努力做某事
Example: No matter how, we have to hammer away at the problem until we get it solved.
15. Ideal for: very suitable for. 理想的；最合适的
Example: Good picture dictionaries are ideal for preschool children.
16. Identical to something:exactly alike.与某事相同
Example: On the phone, your voice is almost identical to your elder sister's.
17. Import something to someone/something: give something, usually a quality, to someone/something. 传达
Example: The pepper and the herbal spice have imported a special flavour to the soup.
18. Join hands (with someone):
(i) hold someone's hands, e.g. while dancing.携手
Example: Boys and girls joined hands and danced for 10 minutes.
(ii) unite with someone. 联合
Example: The government has to join hands with the people to combat all forms of social injustice.
19. Join in something: take part in something.
参与某事
Example: In the get-together last night, all of us joined in the sing-song.
20. Of two evils choose the lesser: pick the evil that is less serious or harmful. 两害取其小和轻的
Example:
X: Do you want to walk to the shop which is not very far away or ask Su, who has just got her driving licence to give you a lift?
Y: I choose to walk. Of two evils choose the lesser.
21. Patch up: (i)mend something quickly. 迅速修补
Example: The worker patched up the roof with pieces of tiles and water-proof plastic.
(ii) Settle a quarrel, etc. 解决纷争
Examples: (1) The two friends soon patched up their disagreement.
(2) It is time we patch up our quarrel with our neighbours.
22. Pave the way for something: make it easy or possible for something to happen. 为……铺路
Examples: (1) The peace treaty paves the way for lasting co-existence between the two countries concerned.
(2) People's desire for freedom paved the way for a nation's struggle for independence and actual sovereignty.
(1) Above someone: too difficult for someone to understand. (令人难以理解)）
Example: That speaker's lecture on astronomy seemed to be above the audience.
(2) Abscond from a place : leave a place unlawfully. (潜逃出某地)
Example: The prisoner has twice absconded from the prison, but he was re-arrested and imprisoned again not long later.
(3) Absence makes the heart grow fonder: we have more affection for our friends and relatives when they are away. (不见面令人更怀念)
Example: Michael used to quarrel with his sister, but he has missed her since she went abroad for further studies. It is a case of ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’.
(4) Bad for someone : harmful for someone. (对某人有害)
Example: Smoking may be thrilling, but it is definitely bad for you.
(5) Bad news travels fast : bad news nearly always reaches us more rapidly than good news. (恶事传千里)
Example: The news of my neighbours' divorce spreads from one person to another. Bad news travels fast, doesn't it?
(6) Bad workman always blames his tools, a : a bad workman tries to excuse his ownlack of skills by blaming the tools for poor workmanship. (技术差的工人埋怨工具不好)
Example: To \"I couldn't write well because I had used someone else's pen\", your response could be: \"A bad workman always blames his tools\".
(7) Cajole/coax someone into/out of (doing) something : persuade someone into/away from (doing) something. (劝诱某人做／不做某事)
Examples:
(i) Can the teacher cajole every lazy pupil into greater efforts?
(ii) Betty tried to coax her father into increasing her pocket money.
(iii) Please cajole the boys out of their unreasonable demands.
(iv) We had to coax his boss out of punishing him.
(8) Calculated risk, a : a possibility of failure that has been estimated before a course of action is taken. (有意尝试的险)
Example: David took a calculated risk when he bought such expensive equipment from that new company.
(9) Calculated to do something :planned with the intention of donig something. (计划做某事)
Examples:
(i) The new law is calculated to make cheating impossible.
(ii) Such commercials are calculated to attract the attention of ignorant housewives.
(10) Call at a place : arrive at a place, usually for a short time and with a special purpose. (停靠某处)
Example: Some boats called at the port to unload the cargoes.
(11) Call back (someone) :
1.return someone a telephone call.(回电)
Example: Will you call me back later?
2.pay another visit.(再来拜访)
Example: If you don't mind, could you call back later?
1. Date back to/from a certain time:
go back to a certain time 自某时代至今
Example:
(1) The history of our club dates back to 1960.
(2) These traditional customs date from the time when we were very small.
2. Daub with something:
cover with something soft and sticky 涂抹
Example:
After being in the kitchen for the whole afternoon, Mother's apron is now daubed with cooking oil and condiments.
3. Dawn on/upon someone:
(used with the subject \"it\") become suddenly clear to someone 突然明白
Example:
(1) It dawned on me what he had really meant when he used that analogy.
(2) It dawned upon us that such a dialogue came from a small Chinese town.
4. Half the world knows not how the other half lives:
people of one social class are often ignorant of the problems of those of another class 这类人不知另一类人 的生活方式
Example:
People in some poor countries have not enough to eat, but many of us here have leftovers to throw away. Half the world knows not how the other half lives.
5. Hammer out something :
(i) decide on a scheme after a long discussion or argument 竭力做某事
Example:
Let's get together to hammer out the required new scheme.
(ii) remove something by hammering 用锤敲去某物 Example:
Please get a mechanic to hammer out the dent on the right side of this car.
6. Impose on someone :
ask someone to do something which he should not be asked to do; bother someone 使人为难
Example:
I hope I am not imposing on you by asking you to answer the door.
7. Impoverish someone/something of someone/something else:
take something good away from someone/something 使某人贫困；使某事不妙
Example:
The government is paying attention to the problem of emigration, which is gradually impoverishing the country of capable people.
8. Impress someone with something:
make someone realise the importance of something 使某人对某事印象深刻
Example:
Our teachers impress us with the need for mutual help.
9. Impress something on/upon someone:
make the importance of something clear to someone 使某人深深意识到某事物
Example:
Our leaders in different fields impressed the value of hard work on us.
10. Join with someone:
do the same thing as someone彼此一起
Example:
Will all of you join with me in drinking a toast to the bride and the bridegroom?
11. Joint efforts:
combined efforts共同的努力
Example:
Our team won the match through the joint efforts of the coach and the players.
(1) Abscond with something:
go away with something valuable 带贵重物潜逃
Example:
I wonder why the accountant in a very big organisation could abscond with a huge sum of money without being detected.
(2) Absence of mind:
inattention 心不在焉
Example:
Absence of mind during driving often leads to road accidents.
(3) Absent oneself from a place:
be absent from a place 缺席；没去
Example:
Lazy students like to absent themselves from class without a good excuse.
(4) Absolve someone from (doing) something:
free someone from fulfilling a promise, etc. or from a guilt, etc. 获免……；免除某人（履行诺言；承受罪责等）
Examples:
(i) After making an apology, the soldier was absolved from returning to the barracks on certain Saturdays.
(ii) Our education system does not absolve the parents from their responsibilities to their children.
(5) Badly off:
(i) not having much money 穷困
Example:
The Huangs are too badly off to have a hoilday abroad as others do. (ii) not having enough 不够；需要某物
Example:
Many schools in the village are rather badly off for modern equipment and other facilities.
(6) Bag and baggage:
with all one's belongings 携随身财物（而去）
Example:
Some guests were unable to pay the hotel bills and were therefore asked to leave bag and baggage.
(7) Bail someone out:
obtain freedom for someone by paying a bail 保释某人
Example:
How much should he pay to bail out the suspect?
(8) Call/bring something to a halt:
stop something; put an end to something停止……
Examples:
(i) It is time to call the stupid arguments to a halt.
(ii) Production was brought to a halt by the prolonged strike.
(9) Call something to mind:
remember something 记起
Example:
I am sure I know the man over there though I can't call to mind where I met him.
(10) Call something to order:
ask something, usually a meeting, to perform in an orderly manner. 要求安静进行某事
Example:
After some vehement arguments between two members, the Chairman called the meeting to order again.
(11) Day after day/day in, day out:
continuously for many days. 一天又一天
Examples:
(i) It went on raining day after day.
(ii) Despite the riot, business went on day in, day out.
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