1——50 One’s brain child某人的主意，某人想出来的 等同于one’s original idea one’s brain children（复数） The new ways of teaching which have been proved very effective are brain children of all teaching staff of our department. Have a chip on one’s shoulder叫阵，叫板 He is not popular among his peers. He always seems ti have a chip on his shoulder. 此外该语还有“不满”，“对抗”的意思 Mary has got a chip on her shoulder about not having obtained the scholarship. Clam up守口如瓶，拒不开口，沉默不语 I don’t understand why my students are quite talkative during the break but all clam up in class. Take someone to the cleaners使人囊中如洗，一贫如洗 Don’t ask me to play in a crap game. I don’t want to be the cleaners. A cliff-hanger扣人心玄的事情 Peter was nearly involved in a car accident. He called it a narrow escape. But it was really a cliff-hanger. Fight the clock争分夺秒，与时间赛跑 等同于work against the clock If you don’t fight the clock to enrich yourself, you will surely be lagged behind soon. A clotheshorse讲究穿戴的人 Princess Diana was a real clotheshorse. It’s hard to imagine how much she had spent on clothes. Get hot under the collar发怒，怒气冲天 Make someone hot under the collar He got hot under the collar when he found his bicycle was missing. Come through with flying colors干得出色，大获成功 In the 13th Asian Games, Chinese athletic team came through with flying colors Show (reveal) one’s true colors原形毕露 He always appears polite and gentle. But his quarrelling with others in dirty words show his true colors. Come up with找出，想出，弄出，提出 等同于to produce, to find out, to think out After three days’ of deep thinking, the manager came up with an idea of promoting the products. Jump to conclusions仓促的下结论 Being a teacher, he shouldn’t jump to conclusions that a student is not worth teaching simply because he fails one exam. To one’s heart’s content心满意足 Today is weekend. The lights won’t go off after 11 o’clock. We can chat to our heart’s content. 此外该语还有“随心所欲”的意思 Mary loves keeping diary. She can express her emotion to her heart’s content. Lose one’s cool沉不住气 反义词keep one’s cool In the boxing match. Tyson lost his cool and bit Hollyfield’s ear. Play it cool不露声色，沉着冷静 Sampras, the No. 1 tennis player in the world, always plays it cool when he wins in the match. e rotten to the core坏透了、烂透了 Keep away from that boy. He is rotten to the core. cut corners偷工减料、走捷径、图省事、节约 Student is a serious thing. You can't expect to cut corners. cut corners并不是都是贬义的，还表示节约，节省 With only $100 left, he had to cut corners to make his journey back home. have a crush on someone迷恋某人 Some teenager girls got a crush on the film star be a far cry from...与……相差甚远（一般用来表示水平或程度等的差距） Though Dick has tried hard, it is still a far cry from what his father expects of him. chew the cud好好琢磨琢磨 I don't want to jump to conclusions, I have to chew the cud on it for a few days. be cut out for...天生适合于……（用于否定句中） Thank you for your kindness, but I can't accept it. You know, I'm not cut for a manager. be completely in the dark一无所知，仍蒙在鼓里 keep someone in the dark; be left(kept) in the dark He is a dictator. Though I'm the production manager, I'm completely in the dark as what to do next. a blind date初次约会 James was too excited to have dinner. He was having a blind date with Sue in the evening. have seen better days今非昔比 Look at our dean, He has seen better days. be out of one's depth力所不及 Liu was extremely happy to have been admitted to Oxford, but soon he found he was out of his depth in his major. give someone a dose of his own medicine以其人之道还制其人之身 On April Fool's Day, my classmates made me an April Fool. Next year, I'll give him a dose of his own medicine. a drop in the bucket沧海一粟 He has suffered a lot in his life. Losing his job this time was only a drop in the bucket. play dumb with someone装聋作哑 It's no use playing dumb with teachers. They know very well their students. be down in dumps垂头丧气，深情沮丧 I burned midnight oil yesterday. So I feel down in the dumps today. make the dust fly干得很起劲 Many volunteers are helping in the Olympic Games. They are making the dust fly without getting pay. go easy on...酌情处理……；节约使用……；对……手下留情 I hope the teacher will go easy on me. Otherwise, I'll have no chance to pass the exam. 当介词oin的后面跟得是something的时候，此语用来是“节约使用”或“小心对待” Go easy on salt. We have to save some for the next meal. egg someone on to do something怂恿，鼓动某人干某事 Haven't you seen him through? He can help you nothing but egg you on to do illegal things. rub elbows with someone和某人没有很深的交情 I suppose Jack doesn't know me well. We have only rubbed elbows with other for several times. ba at the end of one's tether山穷水尽 Mark feels worried because he can't write any new books. He is afraid that he is at the end of his tether. be at one's wits' end不知如何是好 My boy is such a mischief-maker. I am at my wits' end with him. be at loose ends心里没有着落 Many old people feel at loose ends after their retirement. make both ends meet收支平衡 The newly-wed couple found it hard to make both ends meet. be green with envy羡慕极了 Don't be green with envy. He deserves the prize, since he has spent a whole month on that paper. be of the essence绝对不可少，关键的 As for study, diligence is of the essence. a poor apology for...蹩脚货，名不副实 That travel agency was first-class, but it offered a poor apology for its service make an exhibition of oneself出洋相 如果表示总出洋相可以在exhibition一词前加上形容词， regular She is a bit insane. She always makes a regular exhibition of herself by raging at almost everybody. keep an eye open密切注视 Keep an eye open for anyone who arouses your suspicion. see eye to eye with...与……意见一致 Though they are twins, they never see eye to eye with each other on anything. turn a blind eye on装做没看见 It is not right for teachers to turn a blind eye to those who cheat in the exam. feast one's eyes on...观赏……，一饱眼福 Yesterday we went to a fashion show. We really feasted our eyes on beauties and fancy clothes. have a face would stop a clock奇丑无比 The old lady has a face that would stop a clock, but she is the helpful person I have ever met. keep a straight face板着脸 He likes telling jokes . But alwaya keeps a straight face when others are shaking their sides with laughter. be fed up with...对……烦透了 My roommates are too noisy. I''m really fed up with them. fall for...迷恋上…… She fell for that guy simply because he behaved quite differently from others. be riding for a fall自讨苦吃 That big country is riding for a fall if it keeps interfering with others'' internal affairs. 51——100 play fast and loose with...敷衍了事，不正经干 You are not vlever enough to play fast and loose with Susan. play favorites with...对……有偏心眼 The girl isn't on good terms with her parents. They play favorites with her little brother. put out a feeler to do...试探……的反应 The chairman put out a feeler to see people''s reactions to his election speech. be dead on one's feet筋疲力尽 Our boss regards us his slaves. Everyday after work. land on one's feet安全摆脱困境 With the loan from the bank, the company landed on its feet. stand on one's feet自食其力 The Chinese Communist Party decided to stand on their feet during the Liberation Campaign. People in Naniwan were called upon to develop agriculture. sit on the fence保持中立 Who would you vote for? You bet I won't vote for him. He likes sitting on the fence on important issues. play the field不正经干 He is really a playboy, He likes to play the field and is never serious with any one girl. burn one's fingers因管闲事而吃苦头 I always tell you to keep away from the scoundrels. Now you are burning your fingers. have sticky fingers手不老实。有小偷小摸的陋习 The old lady fired the maid because she had sticky fingers. keep one's fingers crossed祈求成功 The leader was guilty of a serious dereliction of duty. He kept his fingers crossed that he could escape severe punishment. let something slip through one's fingers眼睁睁地看着……跑掉 The lawyer studied the case very carefully. He wouldn't let something slip through his fingers. build a fire under someone紧催促某人…… That guy is a slowpoke. I wish there were some way to build a fire under him. put a fire under someone其主语一般是物，而不是人。 have other fish to fry有其他要紧事要做 Come on out! Forget about the exam, You're got other fish to fry. a flash in the pan昙花一现 He used to be called a young entrepreneur. But soon he was forgotten by the public. He was a flash in the pan. a fly in the ointment美中不足 Mobile phone are quite popular nowadays, but they ring at any time in the public areas. It is a fly in the ointment. be nobody's fool不傻，精明 You can not easily take him in. It is obvious that he is nobody's fool. get off on the right foot开门红 Everything will go smoothly if we get off on the right foot. put one's foot down气愤的表示反对 The boy wanted to quit school, but his father put his foot down. play footsy with...与……调情 Jack was so in love with Mary that he couldn't help playing footsie with her while having dinner. marry a fortune嫁给了有钱人 Scariet was in trouble, She wanted to marry a fortune and save the whole family. as sly as a fox非常狡猾 Though the suspect was as sly as fox, he had to admit his crime in front of solid evidence. a dime a dozen数不清，很多 Pagers were rare ten years ago. Now they are a dime a dozen. make free with...擅自使用…… Do you think I'm a millionaire? Don't make free with my things. a freeloader白吃白喝，爱占便宜的人 In America, even if you live with your relative, you can't be a freeloader. a fair-weather friend不能同患难的朋友 I have searched my conscience, and believe I have never mistreated you. But you turned out to be a fair-weather friend. get stage fright怯场，紧张 The student got stage fright when he stepped into exam room. add fuel to the flames火上浇油 The boy refused to make an apology to his father, which added fuel to the flames. have a barrel of fun极开心 Children had a barrel of fun in the masquerade. make fun of someone取笑某人 It is not right to make fun of the disabled. play to the gallery哗众取宠，收买人心 He's so good at playing to the gallery, especially in front of girls. gang up on someone结伙对付某人 The local ruffians ganged up on the policemen. be in high gear全力进行，快速进行 Construction on the subway is in high gear. get away with...逃脱惩罚 Law offenders can't get away with their offence. have the gimmies患伸手病（来自小孩子give me的说法，后来就说成gimmies） Don't you know you have grown up? How shameful of you7 to have the gimmes. give as good as one gets不服输，不示弱 He is a small boy, but he gives as good as he gets in chess match. fit like a glove恰倒好处，非常适合 A: How do you like the frame? B: It fits like a glove. It well matches with the room decoration. handle...with kid gloves小心，谨慎对待…… The antique is very precious. You'd better handle it with kid gloves. get someone's goat使人恼怒，惹人生气 The way he boasted that he was an authority got my goat. for good永远地 I hope war will disappear for good in the world. be too good to be true好的令人难以置信 Yesterday Joe received a letter saying that the company decides to offer her a job with a salary which was too good to be true. have the goods on someone有某人犯罪的证据 Fred was sure that he would win the case. He had the goods on the culprit. goof off偷懒耍滑 Williams has been goofing off at school and his report card shows it. through the grapevine道听途说，小道消息 I hear through the grapevine that Jim has been dismissed from his post. The grass is always greener on the other hill这山望着那山高 He wrofe to his brother, persuading him to keep his mind on his work and not to think the grass is always greener on the other hill. use elbow grease费很大的劲头 How long haven't you cleaned your kitchen? It'll use elbow grease to get it shine again. elbow-grease常指“费劲儿的体力活儿” You have to use a bit of elbow-grease to clean all windows. get the green light得到批准 We're got the green light from our dean that we can have some changes on teaching curriculum. give the green light给予批准，准许某人干…… The employees can have a day off. The director has given them the green light. grin and bear it一笑忍之，相当于汉语的“逆来顺受” You have had enough insults from your boss. How can you grin and bear it? catch someone off guard乘虚而入 Within three days, the run-away was exhausted. He fell asleep in a basement. The police caught him off guard. hate somebody's guts恨之入骨 He dismissed my for no reason at all. I hate his guts. 101——150 kick the habit戒除恶习 You are doomed to be broke one day if you don't kick the drug habit. get in somebody's hair若恼某人 Every day, salesmen come to my door. I can't concentrate on studied. They do get in my hair. let one's hair down无拘无束 Our supervisor is a stone-faced young lady. In front of her, you can't let your hair down and do what you desire. without turning a hair保持冷静的态度，不动声色 The president talked about the international situation without turning a hair. a half-wit弱智者 Do you think it is a good idea to send a half-wit to a normal school? bite the hand that feeds one恩将仇报 Sorry, I can tell you nothing about my master. Otherwise, I will be biting the hand that feeds me. gain the upper hand占上风 In strength, their team gain the upper hand; but in skill, we can have a chip on our shoulder. have someone eating out of one's hand使人完全服从某人的摆布 Money can let him eating out of your hand. live from hand to mouth勉强糊口 With three children to support, the window had to live from hand to mouth. overplay one's hand做的过火了，做得过头了 We may have overplayed our hand by urging him to give us an early reply. tip one's hand无意中亮底 Our rival was drunk. He tipped his hand by murmuring that his company will cut down the price of its products. try one's hand at...试着干…… Michael Jordan is a great basketball player, and he has ever tried his hand at baseball. fly off the handle大发雷霆 It's no use flying off the handle. You can reason with us. play into someone's hand正中某人下怀 Think it over. If we reduce the price, I'm sure we're playing into his hand. wash one's hands off something洗手不干某事 Mr. Butcher, with a long family history of gambling, decided to wash his hand off gambling. get the hang of something掌握某事的窍门 I've got the hang of the new computer system pretty soon. go haywire乱了套 The computer opposes me. Everything goes haywire when I use it. bury one's head in the sand逃避现实 The environmental pollution is getting worse and worse. We can't bury our head in the sand, or the nature will punish us. make neither head nor tail of...对……摸不着头脑 Tim scribbled a note to me during the lecture. But I couldn't make head or tail of it. have one's head in the clouds满脑子幻想 I know you have been dreaming of becoming a professor. But you shouldn't have you head in the clouds all the time. Settle down and do something. turn one's head使某人满意 Sara is a successful woman, but she never allows her achievements to turn her head. have one's heart set on...一心想要…… Once he had his heart set on something, he'll accept no turning-back. one's heart in one's mouth吓得要命 My heart was in my mouth when I heart someone tapping on my window one raining night. have one's heart in one's mouth; with one's heart in one's mouth not have the heart to do something不忍心去做 How can you have the heart to kill my pet? take something to heart往心里去/认真接受意见等 Tom decided to take his father's words to heart and wash his hands off smoking. be in the seventh heaven高心极了 Mary was in seventh heaven when she finally came to Paris, the center of fashion. move heaven and earth想尽一切办法 Believe me. I promise to move heaven and earth to help you. cool one's heels等的双脚发凉，久等 Let's meet at the gallery at 7 o'clock. Come at 7 sharp. Don't make me cool my heels. take to one's heels逃走 The naughty boy took to his heels after he should 'trick-or-treal'. shoot from the hip信口开河 Don't take Jay's words to heart. He shouldn't have shot from the hip. by hook or by crook千方百计得，不择手段得 He rose to that position by hook or by crook. blow hot and cold出尔反尔，喜怒无常 Do you think he'll support you? He is the type who blows hot and cold. make it hot for...刁难某人 Out section manager is a woman. Our general manager always looks down upon her and makes everything hot for her. have the hots for someone迷恋某人 You have to stop her. She has the hots for a married man. bring down the house博得满堂喝彩 The first-prize winner of the speech contest has brought down the house for several times. be over the hump已度过难关 The Asian financial crises has almost paralyzed Asian economy. But we are over the hump now. have a hunch that...预感到…… I have a hunch that the bear market will be over soon. be hunky-dory挺不错的 A: How do you like the food here? B: Hunky-dory. skate on thin ice如履薄冰，冒风险 We are skating on thin ice if we continue killing wild animals. toy with the idea of...心里盘算要…… She's toying within the idea of marring a foreigner. no ifs, ands and buts不要找任何的理由和借口 A: You know I could have done it well, but... B: No ifs, ands and buts. Tell me if you want to save your job. give someone an inch and he'll take a mile得寸进尺 Give my roommate an inch and he'll take a mile. Last time, I offered him some candies. Today, he asked for an ice-cream. have many irons in the fire同时有很多要紧的事要做 Although he was out of job, he still wrote to his parents saying he had many irons in the fire. be in a jam陷入困境 get in a jam You've got to help me. I'm in a jam. May car refused to work on my way to office. jaywalk横穿马路 It is dangerous to jaywalk. in a jiffy不大一会儿 =in a moment, right away. at once I'll be with you in a jiffy. have ( a case of ) the jitters忐忑不安 The new teacher had a case of jitters when he first stood in front of the class. keep up with the Joneses与别人比阔，与别人攀比 He likes keeping up with the Joneses. get a kick out of doing something从……得到很大的乐趣 He gets a kick put of racing. take kindly to something/someone愿意接受 Don't you feel that people in the lab don't take kindly to a nosy reporter? kill someone with kindness好得让人受不了 The old lady almost killed me with kindness when I lived at her home. parade one's knowledge买弄学问 He is a well-learned man, bit he never parades his knowledge. be at large逍遥法外（也可以形容动物不受约束） The murderer was still at large. The victim's parents was determined to find enough evidence to sue him to court. rest on one's laurels故步自封，吃老本 You are sure to be lagged behind if you rest on your laurels. turn over a new leaf洗心革面 The juvenile delinquent promised that he would turn over a new leaf if he could be given lenient punishment. have a hollow leg（喝酒）海量 The best man has a hollow leg. He drinks a lot instead of the bridegroom. pull someone's leg开某人的玩笑 Never ever pull his leg. He is a man without a sense of humor. He takes everything seriously. keep someone at arm's length与某人保持距离 My boss is my uncle. In order to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding, I'd better keep him at arm's length in company. let someone down使某人失望 Joe really let me down by having broken his promises for serveral times. can't for the life of one怎么……也不行 I thought I could recite my speech backwards, but when I stood in front of the audience, I couldn't for the life of me remember what to say. air one's linen in public家丑外扬 The wife was often beaten by her husband, but she never told others. She didn't want to air her linen in public. keep a stiff upper lip意志坚定，坚强不屈 One failure means nothing. You've got to keep a stiff upper lip. be at loggerheads with...互不相让 The two parties were at loggerheads with each other over the new tax policy. a born loser一事无成者 Nobody is a born loser. All you need is perseverance. louse up something把某事搞得一团糟 He let the cat out of the bag, which loused up the whole deal. not do...for love or money死也不会…… Stop trying. I won't betray my friend for love or money. feel a lump in one's throat心里感到很难受 I felt a lump in my throat on hearing her story of fighting with the deadly disease. make do with...用……凑合 We are too tired to cook. We can make do with two bags of instant noodles. the man in the street普通的人，老百姓 The interview with the man in the street shows that 90% of them are satisfied with the TV fro grams. be one's own man不受他人支配，自己管自己 Our monitor is not easy to cope with. He is much his own man. steal a march on someone抢在他人前面，暗渡陈仓 We stole a march on our rivals by reducing 5% of our price and got back our market. meat and drink精神寄托 To some old people, raising pets is their meat and drink. be at the mercy of受……支配 When you get this kind of disease, your life is at the mercy of God. blow someone's mind把某人搞得晕晕乎乎 Readers had rather high opinion of his new book, which blew his mind. have a good mind to do something很想去干某事 When I see young and robust men elbow their way onto the bus, I have a good mind to smack them. have a one-track mind死脑筋，一根筋 Mark has a one-track mind. All he cares is earning money. mind one's own affairs少管闲事 You are nothing but an old gossip! Can't you only mind your own affair? weigh on someone's mind心事重重 The failure of signing the contract has been weighing on his mind. He couldn't sleep at night. be of two minds拿不定主意 Jill was of two minds as whether to spend the money on books or on clothes. have money to burn有花不完的钱 The new rich has money to burn. once in a blue moon千载难逢 Our boss is a miser. He gives us a treat only once in a blue moon. be down in the mouth垂头丧气 Sandra was down in the mouth because she didn't make the appointment. keep mum about something对某事保持沉默 The high official kept mum about his scandal. face the music承担责任，甘受责备 You are caught stealing. You have to face the music. hit the nail on the head说到点子上 I like to discuss with Helen. She always hits the nail on the head. call someone names辱骂某人 The neighbours keep dropping litter in front of her door. She couldn't bear it any morte and call them names. be neck and neck不分上下 The two workshops are neck and neck in monthly output. get up the nerve to...鼓起勇气去…… The patient got up the nerve to ask the doctor how long he could live in the world. get on someone's nerves使某人心烦 There is an airport in the vicinity. The noise gets on my nerves. a nobody无名小辈 He is somebody in the small town, but he is a nobody in the capital city. lead someone around by the nose牵着别人的鼻子走 All nations should exercise their own judgement. They shouldn't be led around by some big countries. poke one's nose into something乱打听别人的私事 I hate those journalists who poke their nose into people's private life. be a notch above someone略胜一筹 In study, we are neck and neck; but in sports, he is a notch above me. sit up and take notice of something/someone对…刮目相看 He used to know nothing about chemistry. Now he talks like a chemist, I have to sit up and take notice of him... have someone's number知道某人的底细 Don't waste your tongues with him. I've got his number. What he is trying to do now is to set a trap and let us jump into it. be quick to take offense特别爱生气 I don't think he is a quality leader. He is too quick to take offense. have one too many喝多了 The bridegroom had one too many at the wedding ceremony and was shooting cats. be on the outs with someone与……失和 For some reason, the two countries have been on outs for a long time. a pain in the neck使人讨厌的事 Working for VIPs was an honor for me, but now it has become a pain in the neck. I don't know how to balance the relationships. grease someone's palm贿赂，给某人好处 It is reported that Sydney has greased the palms of someone members of IOC for thr right to hold 2000 Olympic Games. 200——250 get peanuts微不足道的钱 He gets paid peanuts although he often works extra hours. cast pearls before swine对牛弹琴，明珠暗投 My boss is an idiot. Working for him is just like casting pearls before swine. feel like a square peg in a round hole感到格格不入，不适合 After graduation, I remained as a teacher in college. Whenever our former classmates have a get-together, I always feel like a square peg in a round hole. All they talk about are ways to make money, expensive hotels, luxurious entertainment, things I have no experiences to share with them. pinch pennies节俭 Though he is a tycoon, he pinches pennies in daily life. rob Peter to pay Paul拆东墙，补西墙 You borrow money from me to pay the bank loan. It is like robbing Peter to pay Paul. be no picnic不是件轻松的事 To learn one foreign language is possible. But to be a bilingual is no picnic. sugar the pill给人一点甜头安慰一下 Sonia didn't want to work extra hours quite often, but the manager sugared the pill by promising her a trip abroad at the end of the year. be on pins and needles坐立不安 He is a very modest man. When others praise him, he feel on pins and needles. put that in your pipe and smoke it你好好考虑考虑吧 此句常用于祈使句 Don't take it out on me. It is he who makes you lose so much money. Put it in your pipe and smoke it! play up to someone拍某人的马屁 The young actress played up to the director, hoping to get a role in the TV series. take the plunge踌躇一段时间后断然决定去干…… The commander finally took the plunge and launched the final attack. play possum装糊涂，装傻 He often quarrels with his wife. When he comesto me for advice, I can do nothing but play possum. drop something like a hot potato赶紧抛弃，放弃 He has been dreaming of owning his own car. But when he knew a car would cost ten years' of his salary, he drop the idea like a hot potato. sing someone's praises颂扬某人 The lawyer is quite successful. His clients sing his praises to others. be past praying for不可救药 When I sent my cat to the vet, he said that it was past praying for. be sitting pretty享受安乐生活 Our company survived the economic crisis and now we are sitting pretty. pocket one's pride放下架子 The laid-off workers from the state-owned enterprises should pocket their pride and seek for re-employment. put someone up to...唆使某人去…… HOw dare you to have lodged a complaint against me with the director? Who put you up to it? pop the question求婚 Can you tell me how you popped the question to your wife? Myaybe I can learn something from you. call it quits作罢 Mary and Tom had been in love for several years. But these days, they began to realize that they had very little in common. They decided to call it quits. chew the rag闲聊 chew the rag也有争吵的意思 If they have time, these wives are always sitting together and chewing the rag. fly into a rage大发雷霆 The old father flew into a rage when his daughter didn't obey his will. break ranks with someone与……分道扬镳 反义词为：close ranks with someone People within one party gradually had conflicts on some political issues. Some of them decided to break ranks with others and set up a new party. smell a rat察觉可疑 Heis a well-known miser. I smell a rat when he inviteds me to his home for dinner. I was wondering if he is asking favors of me. beat a hasty retreat急忙撤退 The hoodlum was about to dully the lady when he saw a patrolman coming towards them. He beat a hasty retreat. take someone for a ride欺骗某人，玩弄某人的感情 They were taking us for a ride. I turned out that the ticksts they sold us with low price were invalid. rip someone off敲某人竹杠 The local villain rips us off by collecting 100 yuan for prodection charge every month. be on the rocks陷入困境，完蛋 The foam economy was struck by the Asian finanical crisis. Japan's economy was on the rocks. rub it in哪壶不开提哪壶 Would you please talk in Chinese? You know I'm a pretty bad English speaker. You don't have to rub it in. give someone the runaround敷衍搪塞 My washing machine broke down, When I went to the repair shop, they gave me the runaround. be in a rut千篇一律，一筹莫展 His life is in a rut. Office, library, and home are the three places he goes everyday. It is time he had a holiday for a change. play it safe小心谨慎 Our car works very well. But to play it safe, we will bring a spare tire. safe and sound安全无事 He came back from the battefied safe and sound. the salt of the earth好心肠的人，没有坏心眼的人 The taxi driver who saved the drowning boy from the river is the salt of the earth. take something with a grain of salt听话打折扣，不能轻信 He is a braggart. Take his words with a grain of salt. tip the scales扭转局势 In the boxing ring,the two sides were evenly matched. But the short break seemed to tip the scales in favor of the boxer in red. throw someone off the scent转移某人的视线 The murder wrote a last letter for the victim and left it in the site, hoping to throw the police off the scent. start from scratch从零开始，白手起家 There are so many spelling mistaked. I have to write it again from scratch. talk sense into someone开导某人 I've tired to talk sense into him, but he still chose to work in the countryside. an open sesame法宝，秘诀，关键 Having connections with VIPs is not an open sesame to success. the lion's share最大的一份，绝大多数 He designed the most important part of the machine. So he deserves the lion's share of the award. the black sheep of the family有辱门楣的人 He lost everything in gabling and was called the black sheep of the family by this relatives. take a shine to someone一见就中意 She is an animal-lover. She takes a shine to whatever animal she meets. give someone the shirt off one's back为某人慷慨解囊，毫不吝啬的接济某人 He works in the charity organization and strongly believes that he who gives others the shirt off his back will be blessed by the God. lose one's shirt输得精光 The man didn't leave Las Vegas until he lost his shirt. know where the shoe pinches知道问题所在 A wise leader should be one who knows where the shoe pinches and knows what to do with it. a shot in the dark瞎猜 I didn't know which button was for TV. I pushed one, and TV was turned on. It was mere a shot in the dark. give someone the cold shoulder冷待某人 I hate going to expensive hotels. The receptionist always gives me the cold shoulder when she sees my plain clothes. steal the show喧宾夺主 Cinderalla stole the show in the Prince's party. side with someone与某人站在一起，支持某人 I'm your friend, but I'm afraid I won't side with you on that issue. 251——300 have a memory like a sieve记性太差 I think a computer notebook will be of great help for me, since I've got a memory like a sieve. out of clear blue sky意料不到 Yesterday, out of a clear blue sky, My landlady gave me a one-day notice, asking me to move out. .make a slip of the tongue说走嘴 The class vurst into laughter when the teacher made a slip of the tongue. He meant to say "Good morning" to students, but he said "Good afternoon". be on the sly办事狡猾 The boy was smoking in the corner when his father caught him on the sly. for a song以级低的价钱，廉价地 I got the rare edition of the book for a song in the flea market. sound someone out试探某人的意见 Have you sounded the principal out on postponing the final examination? call a spade a spade有什么就说什么 We are good friends. Call a spade a spade. Don't tell me in a round-about way. spick and span干干净净 The housewife always keeps her kinchen spick and span. go for a spin出去兜风 The city dwellers like going for a spin to the country on weekends. spine-chilling令人毛骨悚然 He likes horrible films. Those spine-chilling pictures to us are pleasant to his eyes. The spirit is willing; but the flesh is weak.心有余而力不足 A: How many times have you tried quitting smoking? B: It's not that the spirit is not willing, but that the flesh is weak. win one's spurs受到奖赏 She won her spurs as a popurs as a popular writer immediately after her first book became a best-seller. put the squeeze on someone对某人施加压力 The new situation is putting the squeeze on all companies engaged in this business. stand up to someone与某人大胆对抗 The soldier stood up to the officer and was place in confinement. thank one's lucky stars感到万幸 I should thank your lucky stars that you missed the plane which crashed into the sea. get off to a flying start来了开门红 Our kindergarden got off to a flying start by having 100 children to sign up in the first month. go steady with someone 与异性稳步发展关系 Mary and Tim got married after going steady with each other for two years. watch one's step当心 You're better watch your step when you go out with John. He is a trouble-maker. a stick-in the-mud老古董 He is a stick=in-the-mud and will never invest his money in stock. be a stickler吹毛皮的人 I don't like to go to her home. She is a stickler for neatness. turn someone's stomach令人作呕 Her sweet voice turned my stomach. fall between two stools鸡飞蛋打 Tying to straddle two boats, he took up two jobs with two salaries. At last, unable to do either well. weather the storm度过难关 The wooden house weathered the storm. harp on the same old string老调重弹 He really gets on my nerves. He always harps on the same old string by promising us a paid holiday., but he never keeps it. have someone dancing on a string任意摆布某人 Betty is a housewife and no income. Her husband has her dacing on a string. pull strings for someone为某人走后门，幕后操作 In the material world, money pulls the strings. be stuck on someone迷恋上某人 Tom was stuck on the girl at the first meeting although it was a blind date. to sweet-talk someone into(out of ) doing...甜言蜜语地让某人做（不做）…… The accountant sweet-talked the boss out of checking her account. be in full swing达到高潮，全面展开 China has opened its door to the outside world for twenty years. Reforms in every walks of life are in full swing. be asleep at the switch玩忽职守 The goal-keeper was asleep at the switch and let the rival team goal at the last minute. suit...to a T对……再适合不过了 This new job suits me yo a T. turn the tables扭转局势 Don't worry, your husband knows how to turn the tables and crack down on those guys. drink someone under the table把某人灌醉 He has a hollow leg. He can drink all of us here under the table. keep tabs on something/someone掌握情况,密切关注 He has subscribed ten newspapers in order to keep tabs on the new developments in market management. keep someone down a notch挫某人的傲气 The monitor likes to order us around. He needs to be kept down a notch. Take it out on someone拿别人出气 The boy was reprimanded by his father. He took it out on his ball. An old wives’ tale无稽之谈 Do you think the existence of life on Mars is an old wives’ tale? Be the talk of the town满城风雨 The death of the Princess Diana has been the talk of the town. Leave a bad taste in someone’s mouth给人留下坏印象 Once I went to a famous university. But the untidy campus left a bad taste in my mouth. Crocodile tears假惺惺的眼泪 Some of my business partners came to comfort me when I lost almost everything in one bad deal. Lose one’s temper发脾气 You don’t have to lose your temper about trifle things. Through thick and thin有甘也有苦 The couple have gone through thick and thin for many years. Have another think coming大错特错 If you think I’m easily taken in, you are having another think coming. Thin-skinned神经过敏 She is so thin-skinned that, whenever we talk about something in a low voice, she will think we are referring to her. Jump down someone’s throat严厉训斥某人 The boy saved a girl from the river and went back home. Seeing him all through, his mother jumped down his throat. Stick out like a sore thumb特别扎眼 I hate my big nose. It sticks out like a sore thumb. Be all thumbs笨手笨脚 I just learned to type. I was all thumbs. Turn thumbs down on…不赞成……，反对…… The boss turned thumbs down on the new on promotion scheme. Twiddle one’s thumbs无所事事 Why do we have to work overtime while people in PR department are twiddling their thumbs? Beat someone’s time with someone勾引别人的女朋友 He is strange. He doesn’t go steady with any girl, but enjoys beating others’ time with their girlfriend. 301——350 On the tip of someone’s tongue就早嘴边上 A man in black came to ask about my son’s whereabouts. My words were on the tip of someone’s tongue when I found the man had a gun inside his pocket. Hold one’s tongue保持沉默 I can no longer hold my tongue when I see so many wild animals have become extinct. Keep a civil tongue in one’s head说话有礼貌 A child is taught to keep a civil tongue in his head when he is small. Blow one’s top勃然大怒 My neighbor blew his top when he saw his hedges were cut by someone. Carry a torch for someone单方想念某人 Though Jane has been engaged with Mr.Hall, Jimmy still carries a torch for her. Have the Midas touch有生财的运气，手气好 You’d better find Rogers as you stock broker. He has the Midas touch. Be touch and go万分危险 The patient is out of danger now, but it was touch and go for a while. Throw in the towel认输 She tried to save their marriage by talking her husband out of taking drugs. But she finally threw in the towel. Have the inside track for something处于有利的地位 I’m an Art student. I don’t have the inside track for applying for that job. Keep track of someone/something掌握……的情况 He is keeping track of all my old friends. Be on a gravy train走运，有赚钱的机会 You will be on a gravy train if you can get that antique. It is worth more money than it is offered. Have a mind like a steel trap头脑特别快 He has a mind like a steel trap. He can remember a new word even if he meets it once. Bark up the wrong tree弄错目标 The detective has been following the man for a week. But it turns out that he has barked up the wrong tree. Be too quick on the trigger操之过急，行动过于仓促 You are always too quick on the trigger. You jump into his throat before he can explain. Ask for trouble自找麻烦 Are you asking for trouble by challenging the emphasis on qualities education. You are asking for trouble if you cheat in the exam. blow one’s own trumpet自吹自擂 If you want to sell more, you should learn to blow your own trumpet. Not give someone a tumble不理睬某人 Though Jackson has asked May to marry him for many times, she just won’t give him a tumble. Talk turkey打开天窗说亮话 Let’s talk turkey, see if you agree. I’ll get 55%of the share, and you’ll get the rest. Not say uncle拒不认错，不服输 I don’t know when he has ever said uncle to anyone. Take a dim view of…对……抱悲观态度；不赞同 Teachers in middle schools usually take a dim view of students’ talking up too many after-class activities. Walk all over someone任意欺负某人 My neighbor walked all over me. He left rubbish in my door, stamped on my grass and wax my windows. I decided to fight back. Drive someone to the wall把某人逼得走投无路 He hates learning foreign languages. But the challenging situation drives him to the wall. He decides to go to an evening class. Drive someone up the wall把某人搞得心烦意乱 Would you please turn down that Rap music? It has driven me up the wall. Be in hot water陷入困境 I’m sorry I can’t lend you money. I myself am in hot water. Like water off a duck’s back满不在乎，不起作用 I can do nothing about him. Criticism rolls off like water off a duck’s back. It goes into his one ear and comes out of the other. Meet one’s Waterloo惨败 The famous lawyer met his Waterloo at the hands of a fledgling lawyer. Fish in troubled waters浑水摸鱼 Don’t tell him that we need that material badly, He is good at fishing in troubled waters and will take advantage of it. Make waves兴风作浪 Everything went smoothly in her wedding ceremony, when her formal boyfriend came to make waves by drinking the bridegroom under the table. Have a way with something/someone有应付……的办法 She will make a good teacher. She seems to have a way with even the most disobedient boy. Pave the way for…为……铺平道路 Donation from every walks of life has paved the way for the Hope Project to proceed. Cut both ways互有利弊 You suggest me quitting the job. It cuts both ways. I can keep away from the bully boss, but I will lose the fast salary. Feel under the weather身体不舒服 He was under the weather because he failed to make the appointment. Blow the whistle警告，禁止 The IOC has blown the whistle on its members for taking bribes. Bleed someone white榨干血汗 Don’t ever go to casino. It will bleed you while. Get wind of someone得到风声 There must be one between us who has let the cat out of the bag. Otherwise, how could they get wind of our plan to cut the price? Take someone under one’s wing庇护某人 The kind lady took several orphans under her wing. Can’t see the woods for the trees见树不见林 The principle is too tired. He talked with every individual student who has problems with his studies. He can’t see the woods for the trees. Pull the wool over someone’s eyes蒙骗某人 The man pulled the wool over the eyes of the police by saying that he killed the wild animal for sell-defense. Not breathe a word不吐露一个字 You can trust him. He’ll not breathe a word to anyone about your plan. Put in a good word for…为……说句好话 Can you put in a good word for me when you see the manager? Then I’ll have a better chance of landing the job. Not get a word in edgeways插不上话 Others are simply unable to get a word in edgeways when she opens her chatter-box. Eat one’s words收回自己的话 Those who said that President Clinton would be impeached may have to eat their words. Have words with…与……吵嘴 The wife had words with her husband over which YV channels to choose. Have the world before one前途远大 Don’t worry yourself with trifle things. Look ahead and you have a world before you. Put in an appearance露个面 Mary was surprised to find that her former boyfriend put in an appearance at her wedding ceremony and was talking with the bridegroom. Sharpen one’s appetite开胃，吊胃口 I used to take no interests in archaeology. But the visit to the Ming Tomb sharpened my appetite. The apple of someone’s eye某人的掌上明珠 The daughter is the apple of her eye, but she is still strict with her. An apple polisher马匹精，阿谀奉承者 He likes to be surrounded by apple polishers. Upset someone’s apple-cart破坏某人的计划 We were about to sign the contract when one of our member said cart. A poor apology for有名无实 He has no say in business. He is a poor apology for a manager. 351——400 Cool someone’s ardor使某人心凉一半 He cooled my ardor when he happened to know that he was also going out with other girls. Twist someone’s man 对某人采取强制手段 The new policy will not be well carried out until the government twists a few arms. Be up in arms满腔怒火 Parents are up in arms over some officials’ practicing graft in the entrance examination. Dance attendance on…对……大献殷勤 He is a man with power and influence. He likes every one around him to dance attendance on him. A rude awakening如梦初醒 I’ve already told he is not reliable. Now you are in for a rude awakening. Have an axe to grind心怀叵测 You may get the loan from him, but he has an axe to grind. He wants to get half the share of the company. Like a babe in the woods茫然不知所措，一无所知 If you don’t know some western culture, you’ll be like a babe in the woods in western countries. Behind someone’s back在某人的背后 The boy learned to smoke behind his father’s back. Have one’s back to the wall进退维谷 The run-away rushed into a lane and found it was a dead end. Know…like the back of one’s hand对……了如指掌 I’ve brought up in that area. I know it like the back of my hand. Stab someone in the back背后捅刀子 Look at his way of dancing attendance on the boss. He’ll stab you in the back if he gets a chance. Turn one’s back on someone不理睬某人 Jim comes from a poor family and he is often short of money for lunch. Nobody in his class turns his back on him. They take lunch from home for him in turn. Turn one’s back on something放弃某事 If you want to make big achievements, you must turn your back on the attitude of short-term successes and quick profits. Go from bad to worse越来越坏 My eyesight has gone from bad to worse since I wore the contact lens. Bail someone out把某人从困境中解救出来 Come to ball me out. The salesman refused to go unless I buy his product. Climb on the bandwagon赶浪头，看风使舵 Those guys are good at climbing on the bandwagon. They used to be my political enemies. But now they come to support me simply because I have been nominated for the Presidency. The bane of one’s existence讨债鬼 His son is a big trouble-maker. Thy boy was really the bane of his existence. One’s bark is worse than his bite刀子嘴，豆腐心 Professor Wang is a well-known strict teacher. He gives a lot of requirements before he delivers lectures. But soon the students learn that his bark is worse than his bite. Scrape the bottom of the barrel讨些剩饭吃 It was too late when I rushed to the department store for a Christmas girl. I had to scrape the bottom of the barrel and finally got a shabby doll. Be half the battle等于胜了一半 To show the opponents our capabilities is half the battle. Keep somebody at bay不让对方靠近，强制住某人 Acupuncture can not cure you, but it can keep the disease at bay. Be off the beam走歪门邪道，步入歧途 Some teenagers are off the beam and become juvenile delinquents Society should give them a chance to correct. A bean pole细高个儿 Your son has grown into a bean pole. You should encourage him to do more physical exercises. Get one’s bearings知道自己的方位（地理位置和人生方向） When I got out of the tube, it took me several minutes to get my bearings. No bed of roses生活不轻松 It is admitted to tell you that in America, there are more material comforts, but life there is no bed of roses. Have a bee in one’s bonnet鬼迷心窍 That old lady has a bee in her bonnet about learning to drive at the age of sixty. Beef发牢骚 Why doesn’t Herry get lessons from it? Last time, he beefed about the malfunction of the air-conditioning, and he didn’t get bonus that month. Now he is beefing something again. Make a beeline for…朝着……一直走下去 In summer, whenever I get home, I make a beeline for the refrigerator to get iced coke. Beggars can’t be choosers讨饭者不能挑肥拣瘦 I know beggars can’t be choosers, but can you give me 5 yuan more per hour? Bellyache满腹牢骚 Don’t bellyache about our working environment. You know we can’t afford to renovate it. Hit below the belt卑鄙，暗箭中伤 Never do business with him. He likes to hit below the belt. Tighten one’s belt勒紧裤带 1998 was not a good year for hotel business. Some big and expensive hotels had to tighten their belts. Give someone a wide berth回避，敬而远之 Everybody gives him a wide berth because she is too nosy. Bill and coo谈情说爱 When will you two stop billing and cooling in that corner? Come and do some barbecuing. Fill the bill凑合 I really need a white blouse, but this light gray one will fill the bill. Foot the bill付款 A: How can I bring such a big refrigerator back home? B: Don’t worry, Madam. Our store is responsible for sending it home for you and we’ll foot the bill for delivery. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.双鸟在林不如一鸟在手 You have been out of job for a year. Why didn’t you accept his offer? It’s true that the pay is not good and you have to work longer hours, but a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. The early bird catches the worm.捷足先登 A: How could you get the ticket for the concert? It is said that all tickets were sold out in the first day. B: Well. I went to queue the very first day. Don’t you know that the early bird catches the worn? Eat like a bird饭量很小 A: Why are you eating like a bird these days? B: I’m on a diet. The birds and the bees性知识 It is often argued when children should be taught the birds and bees. Be for the birds极其无聊，俗不可耐 That man is for the bird. He always says he will write an autobiography, but I never see him write anything. Bite off more than one can chew力不从心 If you choose too many courses to take, you are biting off more than you can chew. In black and white白纸黑字 We won’t pay you money until we see the contract in black and white. Draw a blank落空 He had expected to get a fortune from his uncle’s will, but he drew a blank. A wet blanket令人扫兴的人或物 He is such a wet blanket. It seems that he is always with words to argue with others. A blessing in disguise因祸得福 You lost the game, but it may be a blessing in disguise. You’ll know what your problem is. Be on the blink发生故障 My VCD is on the blink. I can only get should but no pictures. Bad blood消除不掉的恶感 The two families have had blood for many years. Get in one’s blood上瘾 It seems that playing shadow-boxing has got in the old man’s blood. Make someone’s blood boil使人大为恼火 Their killing of wild animals without control made my blood boil. 400——450 Make someone’s blood run cold令人毛骨悚然 The footsteps after me in the dark lane made my blood run cold. A late bloomer大器晚成 No one has expected him to be a late bloomer. The past mischievous boy has become a stock agent. Blow something使某事化为泡影 He blew the whole plan by telling it to the other company. Sing the blues心情低落 She is always singing the blues about having too little money to buy cosmetic. Be in the same boat处境相同 A: I really can’t make both ends meet every month. The rent itself takes up one-third of my salary. B: What can you complain about? We’re in the same boat. Miss the boat on 坐失良机 You will be missing the boat on that job if you don’t hand in your application from today. A bolt from the blue晴天霹雳 The news that his wife died when delivering the new baby was like a bolt from the blue to the husband. A bone of contention争吵的原因 We’d better buy two bicycles for our two sons. Otherwise, one bicycle will surely become a bone of contention. Have a bone to pick with someone对……有意见 I have a bone to pick with you about your always using my towel. Make no bones about对……满不在乎 He makes no bones about losing some money in business. He believes that heaven gives perfection to no one. Be one for the books简直太……了 She told me a lot of bad words against our manager. But when I told her that I was the manager’s daughter. Lick someone’s boots拍某人的马屁 It’s true that we need the project, but you don’t have to lick his boots like that. Bore someone to death使某人烦得要死 That guy bores me to death. He never stops talking about his past history. Bow and scrape点头哈腰 That guy must be a bootlicker. Look at the way he bows and scrapes to the leader. Be nothing to brag about没什么了不起 His poem was nothing to brag about. One’s bread and butter饭碗 Some famous singers insure their voices for a big sum of money. After all, voice is a singer’s bread and butter. Make a clean breast of…坦白交代……，全盘托出 The accused made a clean breast of the case and was punished leniently. Save one’s breath保持沉默 I know I’d better save my breath. I have seen him signed it. Waste one’s breath浪费口舌 That boy is incorrigible. Don’t waste your breath on him. Shoot the breeze闲聊 After work, several of us often sit round and shoot the breeze in the small bar for an hour. Burn one’s bridges behind one悲水一战 He burnt his bridges behind him when he invested all his money in his project. Be as broad as it is long背着抱着一样沉 A: Which course do you think I should take? B: Well, it is about as broad as it is long. One course is interesting, but it is not easy to pass. The other is boring, but there will be no exam requires. Go for broke豁出去 We have to go for broke to meet the deadline. Give someone the brush off把某人打发 I’ll be with you in a moment,. I’ll brush the man out off. Buckle down鼓足干劲 He was determined to break the record of 100-meter-dash. So he buckled down and practiced hard every day. Bite the bullet下定决心；咬紧牙关 He always bites the bullet when others misunderstands him. He doesn’t want to argue. He believes that gold will glitter sooner or later. A country pumpkin乡巴佬 Your behavior is like a country pumpkin, Haven’t you ever come into an expensive restaurant? Give someone goose bumps让某人起鸡皮疙瘩 His sweet words gave me goose bumps. Beat around the bush说话兜圈子 You don’t have to beat around the bush. Tell us the truth. Do a land-office business生意大为兴隆 In recent years, land agents are really doing a land-office business. Mean business动真格的，正经地 I have already warned you not to come near my window. This time I mean business. Mind one’s own business少管闲事 Would you please mind your own business more? There’s nothing you can help here. Butter someone up巴结某人 The boy butters his teacher up in hopes of getting a pass for his course. Have butterflies in one’s stomach忐忑不安 The speaker had butterflies in his stomach when standing on the stage. A social butterfly交际花 A:It seems that Agatha knows a lot of men in power in his area. B: Sure. Don’t you know she is a social butterfly? Whenever there is a party, you will find her there. Push the panic button惊慌失措 When I heard the fire alarm, I pushed the panic button and rushed out of the building. Give somebody a buzz给某人挂个电话 I’ll give you a buzz this evening. Raise Cain大吵大闹 The couple were raising Cain last night. A piece of cake小菜一碟 She used to think that raising a cat was a piece of cake, but now she won’t say that again. Sell like hot cakes卖得很快 The manufacture didn’t except that the new product would sell like hot cake. You can’t eat your cake and have it.两者不可兼得 Do you want to work as a teacher and enjoy a stable but simple life or do you want to become a business who may have to put up with all kinds of stress? Of course, you can’t eat your cake and have it. Can’t hold a candle to someone不能跟某人比 The present Chicago Bull can’t hold a candle to the Chicago Bull with Michael Jordan. Go paddle one’s own canoe不管他人瓦上霜 You are new comer in the company. I suggested you go paddle your own canoe. Have one’s cap set for someone追求男人 Mary has had her cap set for Mike for some time, but Mike has never noticed her. Have the cards stacked against someone处于不利状况 His record of being a prisoner for two years has the cards stacked against him when he did job-hunting. Lay one’s cards on the table打开天窗说亮话 Let’s lay our cards on the table and tell me if you really want to cooperate with me. Play one’s cards close to the chest竭力不动声色 Play your cards close to the chest. Never let your rivals know your plans before you act. Have a card up one’s sleeve胸中有数，胸有成竹 Many managers are worried stiff in the competition, but John has a card up his sleeve and he knows what to do to survive the competition. Call someone on the carpet严厉批评、指责某人 The manager called the staff from the Sales Department on the carpet for the carpet for the low sales last month. The cat has someone’s tongue舌头不好使 Tell me, who’s smoked my cigarettes? Surely the cat hasn’t got your tongue. 451——500 Let that cat out of the bag泄密 Don’t let the cat out of the bag. I’d like to give our mother a big surprise. Throw caution to the winds不顾一切 He threw caution to the winds and ran into the house on fire to save the baby. Be itching for a chance to do…很想找个机会试试…… In the Wimbledon Tennis Open, many new and old tennis players are itching for a chance to prove they are the best. An outside chance一线希望 Send him to hospital immediately. He’s got an outside chance of survival. Have a chance of heart改变心情 After seeing how they fought against natural disaster, he had a change of heart and decided to lend them the money to rebuild their families. A wild-goose chase徒劳的追求 You know there is no such an ancient treasure, why did you send me on a wild-goose chase? Chicken out由于胆怯而收兵 Don’t be chicken. Jump into the water. count one’s chicken before they are hatched如意算盘打得太早 Don’t count your chicken before they hatch. The police might be following us. A chow-hound嘴搀的人 You eat like a chow-hound. Haven’t you had any meat at school? Be on cloud nine高兴的飘飘然 He was on cloud nine after winning the competition. Be in the clover生活富裕，过的舒服 Old people are living in the clover in the Old People’s Homes. Weigh on someone’s conscience某人良心不安 Having blamed the boy wrongly weighed on my conscience. Too many cooks spoil the broth.厨师太多烧坏汤 We have to choose one as our head. Otherwise, too many cooks spoil the broth. Keep one’s own counsel不露心计 You never know what he is thinking about. He always keeps his own counsel. Till the cows come home直到猴年马月 If you expect to get support from me, you will have wait till the cows come home. Speak off the cuff即席讲话 The chairman got to bring his glasses, so he had to speak off the cuff. Be sb’s cup of tea爱好 I don’t want to invite her to my birthday party. She is not my cup of tea. Cut and run抛开一切逃跑 Facts show that the whole deal is nothing but a swindle. Our business partner has already cut and run with our money. Give somebody a dressing down严厉训斥 The teacher dressed the student down for being late. A drug on the market滞销产品 That wine used to sell like hot cakes,. But since the fake wine with the same name killed many people in Shanxi Province, it has become a drug on the market. As dry as dust枯燥无味 How can you live with him? He is dry as dust. Easier said than done说时容易做时难 A: We should make everybody know that white pollution is a big menace to our environment. B: What you said is right, but it is easier said than done. Take it easy轻松的干 Take it easy. We have an hour to go before the train leaves. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth以牙还牙，以眼还眼 He will take an eye for an eye when he takes revenge on you. Not bat an eye泰然自若 The condemned man listened to his sentence without batting an eyelid. There is more to something than meets the eye.表面上看不出 The man came to the bank three times a day without doing anything. There was more to it than met the eye. One’s eyes are bigger than one’s stomach.眼大肚子小 We’re going to a self-service restaurant to have dinner, boys, but remember your eyes are bigger than your stomach. Don’t waste any food. Feed one’s face吃饭 Look at your school report. It seems to remind me that the only thing you know is to feed your face, but nothing else. Till one is blue in the face嘴唇都磨破了 The customer bargained with the seller till he was blue in the face, but the seller didn’t change his price. The fat is in the fire为时已晚，欲罢不能 Think twice before you leap. Once you invest your money in the project, the fat will be in the fire. Play second fiddle to someone给某人当二把手 His family has had to play second fiddle to his political career. Snap one’s fingers at someone瞧不起某人 He snap his fingers at most men in this profession. Play with fire玩火 You are playing with fire if you take bribes. Drink like a fish大喝，贪杯 He drinks like a fish, but he is seldom late for night shift. Be neither fish nor fowl不伦不类 The newspaper is neither fish nor fowl. It claims to be a serious paper, but there are many articles on famous stars’ personal affairs. Put one’s foot in one’s mouth说话走了嘴 The boy put his foot in his mouth when he told his father he played football in the afternoon. His father knew that the boy played truant again. Give somebody the gate让某人滚开 I explained to them that I had left the invitation card at home till I was blue in the face, but they still gave me the gate. As silent as the grave非常寂静 At two in the morning the town is as silent as the grave. Get out of hand失去控制力 The debate got out of hand and became a quarrel. Have a hand in something参与某事 Every actor and actress had a hand in making the play a hit. Have one’s hands full忙得不可开交 She has her hands full going to work in the day and studying in the evening school after work. Have something on one’s hands有待处理 He has clothes of last year’s fashion on his hands. So he has to sell them at a lower price and gets the money back. Lie down on the job在工作中偷懒 The coach has been lying on the jobs. There’s no doubt that his team will lose the match. Go to somone’s head冲昏头脑 The local football team won the match with flying colours. The excitement went to the enthusiastic fan’s heads and they went to the street drinking and dancing till the midnight. Give somebody a free hand to do something给某人自由去处理某事 It is a good idea to give the Students’ Union a free hand to organize the New Year’s Party. Keep one’s head above water经济上过得去 During the war, many families found it hard to keep their heads above water. Be sick at heart心里非常难过 The monitor forgot to inform the class that the teacher had left the assignment. The next day, when the teacher blamed students, he felt sick at heart. Look high and low到处都找遍 I remember locking the file in the safe. But now it is nowhere to be found again, although I have looked high and low. A white lie没有恶意的谎言 The patient worries too much about his disease. The doctor, in order to help with the medical treatment, has to tell him a white lie that his illness is no a big matter. Know the ropes精通业务 It usually takes half a year for a new employer to know the ropes in the company.