美国常用习语
走遍美国必须掌握的词汇习语及文化背景口语语境
走遍美国必须掌握的词汇－01－01. appreciate感谢，欣赏(1) I appreciate your help.(2) I really appreciate it, Marilyn.(3) I'd appreciate that.02. bright明亮的，鲜艳的(1) Is this pink too bright for me?(2) It is a very bright pink.03. building建筑物(1) Now point to the buildings.04. chocolate巧克力(1) Well, there's chocolate and coffee and a little vanilla.(2) I'll have chocolate.(3) Uh, one scoop of coffee and one scoop of chocolate for me.05. dessert甜点(1) What's for dessert?(2) Oh, I forgot dessert.06. doctor医生(1) And these are pictures of people working: steelworkers, bankers, police, street vendors, ambulance drivers, doctors...(2) He's a doctor.(3) Richard tells me you're a doctor.07. ferry渡船(1) I left my bag of film on the ferry.(2) I went back for it, but the ferry was gone.(3) I'll call the Staten Island Ferry lost-and-found office.(4) Yes. The number, please, of the Staten Island Ferry lost-and-found office.(5) Did anyone find a camera bag this afternoon, a small canvas bag, on the J. F. Kennedy Ferry?... No?08. finish完成(1) Oh, it's not finished yet, but I have some of the pictures.09. Florida（美）佛罗里达(1) He lives in Florida.10. Greece希腊(1) No, I'm from Greece.(2) That's a large city in northern Greece.(3) Alexandra's a high school exchange student from Greece.11. Hispanic西班牙语系的(1) No. Hispanic.12. hour小时，钟点(1) The traffic is very heavy at this hour.13. lawyer律师(1) He's a lawyer, in Thessaloniki.14. medicine药(1) And give her a teaspoon of the medicine after every meal.15. officer警官(1) Excuse me, officer.16. pasta意大利面食(1) I hope it's pasta.(2) Would you like some pasta?17. photographer摄影师(1) I'm a photographer.18. picture照片(1) May I take a picture of you and your little boy?(2) It's a book of pictures.(3) Well, it's fine if you take our picture.(4) Hey, let me take your picture!(5) Oh, it's not finished yet, but I have some of the pictures.(6) And these are pictures of people working: steelworkers, bankers, police, street vendors, ambulance drivers, doctors...19. point指向(1) Now point to the buildings.20. pretty漂亮的(1) Oh, she's very pretty.21. return送还(1) I'm so glad you found the bag and took the time and trouble to return it.22. scoop一勺，勺子。
美国习语精选系列
give me a handfoot the billblow outlock, stock and barrelhook, line and sinker每一种语言都有它独特的成语和俗语。
而学习外语的人经常在理解这些习惯用语时会感到很困难。
这是因为你不可能从组成某个习惯用语的字面上来懂得它的意思。
比如,美国人经常说:“Give me a hand.”按照字面来理解, “give me hand”就是“给我一只手。
”可是,它的意思却是“帮我一下忙。
”另外一个例子是: “Foot the bill.”“Foot”的意思是“一只脚”,而“bill”在这儿的解释是“账单”。
“Foot the bill.”并不是把帐单踩在脚底下,而是付账的意思。
另外,有的时候,一个词汇有好几种解释。
就拿下面一句话来作例子吧:例句-1:“We arrived two hours late at the big blow-out for Charlie’s birthday because our car had a blow-out.”这句话里第一个blow-out是指规模很大的聚会,第二个blow-out是指汽车的轮胎炸了。
整个句子的意思是:“由于我们车胎炸了,所以我们晚了两个小时才到达查理举行生日宴会的地方。
”还有一些习惯用语从字典上的意思来看是相同的,但是它们使用的场合却不同。
下面两个习惯用语就是很好的例子。
一个是“Lock, stock and barrel”,另外一个是:“Hook, line and sinker”。
Lock, stock and barrel和Hook, line and sinker都是全部的意思,可是用法却不同。
我们先来举一个Lock, stock and barrel的例子:例句-2:“Mr. Rockefeller bought the whole oil company lock, stock and barrel.”这句话的意思是:“洛克菲勒先生把整个石油公司买了下来”。
美国习语American Idioms
13. Get up the wrong side of the bed
Be in bad mood
起床气
14. Grab a bit to eat
Go out to eat in a hurry Do you want to grab a bit to eat before we see the movie?
11. Pull strings Use your relationship or power to make sth. done
12. cats get my tongue
Every time I try to talk to the handsome guy in school, cats get my tongue.
7. Have cold feet 临阵退缩
Every actor have cold feet just before the begin of a show. 8. Burn bridges 翻脸
9. OncLeabharlann in a Blue Moon10. Jump/climb on the bandwagon Bandwagon 乐队花车 追逐潮流
18. To be so hungry one could eat a horse
19. To have a sweet tooth Little girls have a sweet tooth, such as lollipop.
Steps
• How many people? • Drinks?
3. Blow one’s own horn/trumpet horn[hɔːrn]喇叭、号 trumpet[‘trʌmpɪt] 喇叭
美国idioms习语
AAbout time:Nearly time, high time. "It's about time you bought a new car!"Absence makes the heart grow fonder:Proverb that means that our feeling for those we love increases when we are apart from them.(To) act high and mighty:To act proudly and arrogantly.Actions speak louder than words:Proverb meaning that's it's better to do something about a problem than to talk about it. (To) act one's age:To behave in a more mature way. Frequently said to a child or teen. ex. "Bill, stop throwing rocks! Act your age!"(To) add fuel to the fire:To make a bad problem even worse.(To) add insult to injury:To make a bad situation even worse.Against the clock:To attempt to do something "against the clock" is to attempt to do something as fast as possible usually before a deadline.All-out:Complete. Very strong. "They did an all-out search for the missing boy and they found him."All set:Ready (to go). "All set?"All thumbs:Awkward. Clumsy.A little bird told me:When someone says "a little bird told me" it means they don't want you to know who told them.All in a day's work:Typical. Normal. Expected. ex. "Talking to famous celebrities is all in a day's work for some Hollywood reporters."(From) all walks of life:(From) all social, economic, and ethnic groups. ex. "People from all walks of life voted for him, but he still lost the presidential election."Apple of someone's eye:Someone's favorite person (and sometimes thing). ex. "Sarah was the apple of Tom's eye for quite a long time. He was very much in love with her."Armed to the teeth:Heavily armed. ex. "The rebels were armed to the teeth."At all hours (of the night):Very late at night, throughout the night. ex. "Her boyfriend would call her at all hours of the night."At each other's throats:Fighting or arguing heavily. ex. "They were at each other's throats. The arguments never stopped."At this stage:At this point. ex. "At this stage, it's difficult to say who will win the election."B(a) ball-park figure:A rough estimate. "Can you give me a ball-park figure of what this project will cost?" (To get on the) bandwagon:To begin to like something/start doing something because it's popular, "hip", or everyone else is doing it.(To) bank on something:To count or rely on something.(To) bark up the wrong tree:To ask the wrong person. To make the wrong choice. ex. "The gangster told the cops they were barking up the wrong tree in thinking he was responsible for the robbery."(A) basket-case:A very nervous person, someone at the verge of being neurotic. ex. "All the stress from the divorce turned John into a basket case."(To) be a fan of someone/ something:To like, idolize, admire someone/ or something. ex. "I'm not a big fan of heavy metal music."(To) be a in one's element:To be completely comfortable doing something; To do something that comes very naturally to someone. ex. "When it comes to speaking in public, the Senator is in his element." (To) be up to no good:To be planning something bad, mischievous, etc. ex. "I could tell from the look in his eyes that he was up to no good."(To) beat around the bush:To avoid getting to the point. ex. "Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think."(To) beg to differ:A polite way of saying "to disagree", most often heard in the phrase "I beg to differ!" Behind (someone)In the past. "I used to smoke, drink, and take drugs, but all that is behind me now."Believe it or not:Used at the beginning sentence to state that something is true whether one chooses to believe it or not. ex. "Believe it or not, I still care for her."Big fish in a little sea:A person who's famous/ well-known but only in an unimportant place (city or area).(To have a) big mouth:To not be able to keep a secret. ex. "Don't tell her anything. She's got a really big mouth." Big-shot (noun/adjective):An important person. ex. "All the big-shots at headquarters never listen to what we haveto say."; "A big-shot reporter."(A) Bimbo:A foolish/empty girl. The term "male bimbo" is also used. ex. "John only talks about his car and his clothes - he's a real male bimbo."(The) birds and the bees:Sex. Human reproduction. ex. "It's about time I talked to my son about the birds and the bees."(A) bite to eat:A snack, some food. ex. "Let's go grab a bite to eat before we go to the game."(To) bite the hand that feeds you:To do harm to someone who helps you.(To) bite one's tongue:To struggle not to say something that you want to say. ex. "I wanted to tell her everything, but I had to bite my tongue because I had promised Bill I would not (tell her)."Black sheep (of the family):The worst, least accepted member of a family.(A) Blast:A great time. A fun time. "We had a blast at the party last night."(To) blow someone's cover:To reveal someone's secret, or true identity. ex. "The spy was very careful not to blow her cover."(To) break even:To neither win nor lose. ex. "Michael thought he would lose $200, but he ended up breaking even."(To) break new ground:To do something that hasn't been done before. To innovate. ex. "Dr. Davis was breaking new ground in cancer research."(To) break someone's heart:To cause someone (strong) emotional pain. ex. "Fiona broke James' heart when she refused to marry him."(To) break the news to someone/ to break "it" to someone:To tell someone some important news, usually bad news. ex. "I hate to be the one to break it to you, but your wife has been cheating on you."(To) burst into tears:To start crying suddenly.C(To) call it a day:To end work and go home. ex. "Let's call it a day. It's getting late."(To) carry a tune:To be able to sing on key (accurately). "She has an awful voice! She can't carry a tune." (To) cash in on something:To profit from something. "The actor wanted to cash in on his popularity by opening a restaurant."(A) catch:When talking about wives, husbands, girlfriends, etc., people sometimes say "He's quite a catch" or "She's quite a catch" - which means "He/she is a great partner - it's good to be in a relationship with him/her (usually because of his/her personality, money, or looks)" (To) catch someone's eye:To get someone's attention through eye contact.(A) cheap drunk:Also knows as "a cheap date". A person who becomes drunk after only one or two drinks. "Victor had one gin and tonic and was already slurring - what a cheap drunk!"(A) clean bill of health:A report from the doctor that one's health is good. Good results from a doctor's medical examination. ex. "I went in for my yearly physical and got a clean bill of health from Dr. Jones".(To) clear the table:To remove all dishes, cutlery, etc. from a table after a meal.(A) close call:Something that is close to danger or an accident. "That was a close call! The train almost hit the motorbike."Coast-to-coast:From the Atlantic to the Pacific coast in the United States. ex. "Our car made the coast-to-coast trip in 70 hours".(To) come away empty handed:To return without anything. To expect to receive something but to end up receiving nothing. ex. "The union workers came away empty handed from the negotiations." (To) come to an end:To finish. To stop. ex. "When the road came to an end, we turned left."(To) come out of the closet:To reveal that one is gay.Come to think of it:I just remembered. ex. "Hey, come to think of it, I do have a sleeping bag you can borrow."(To) come up short:To not quite achieve one's goal. ex. "The students tried to raise $1,000 for the school play,but they came up short."Come what mayWhatever happens. No matter what happens.Copycat (noun or adjective)Someone who imitates/mimics another person *not really used in a positive sense* (To) cover a lot of ground:To go through a lot of information. "We've covered a lot of ground in my English class in the past two months."(To) cover for someone:To make excuses for someone or to conceal someone's errors.(At the) crack of dawn:Right at dawn (when the sun comes up). "We left at the crack of dawn."(To) crash:To sleep. To go to bed.(To) cramp someone's style:To limit someone in some way. To limit someone from expressing themselves fully. (To) cry one's eyes out:To cry hard. ex. "When her grandfather died, she cried her eyes out for three days straight."(To) cut class:To not go to class. To skip going to class. "Jacob was a very bad student. He was always cutting class to go smoke with his buddies."(To) cut loose:To act or speak freely, without holding back ( = without restraint). "When the three of us are together we really cut loose."(A) cut above (something):Superior/ better (than something). "The commercial said that this car company is 'a cut above the rest'."D(To) die of boredom:To be very bored.(A) dead ringer:A look-alike. "He's a dead ringer for Jude Law" (He looks exactly like Jude Law).Dirt cheap:Very cheap (inexpensive). "The hotel we stayed in was dirt cheap, but our room was very nice."(A) dog's age:A very long time. "I haven't seen him in a dog's age."Don't hold your breath:Don't wait for it to happen because it probably won't. "You think David will break up with Tina? Don't hold your breath!"Don't let it get you down:Don't let it upset you. Don't allow it to make you feel bad.(To) do the dishes:To wash the dishes.(A) downer:An event that causes one to be sad. "Your girlfriend broke up with you? What a downer!" Down the drain:Wasted. Lost forever. "I tried for five years to run this business and now I'm bankrupt. Five years down the drain."(A) drag:Boring; a disappointment. "The party was a real drag" or "My car broke down... What a drag!"(To) drive a hard bargain:To be firm when bargaining about something. You drive a hard bargain = It's hard to win when bargaining with you. "You drive a hard bargain, but alright, I'll pay you $10 for the lamp."(To) drive someone crazy:To make someone very agitated, upset, or emotional (either in a good or bad way). "That teacher is so awful! He drives me crazy with his attitude."(To) drop it:To stop talking about something. "I told you to drop it! I don't want to talk about it." (To) drown one's sorrows:To get/ become drunk.(To) drop the ball:To make a mistake. (WARNING: This idiom is overused in the business world). ex. "So it was John's fault? Yes, John really dropped the ball on this one."(A) dream come true:A great thing. A dream or wish that has become reality. ex. "Living in California is like a dream come true."Down in the dumps:Sad. Depressed.(To) dump someone: (very informal)To end a relationship with someone; to break up with someone. To stop seeing someone (romantically). "She dumped me."EEarful:a strong verbal scolding. ex. "Katie's father really gave her an earful when she came home at 4 AM."Easy:Not so fast. Calm down! ex. "Easy! Don't eat so fast!"(As) easy as pie:Very easy.Easy come, easy go:PROVERB. Said to explain the loss of something that was very easily obtained in the first place.Easy-going:Tolerant. Laid-back. Relaxed.(To) eat one's heart out:To be envious or jealous. ex. "Eat your heart out Frank, I'm going to Paris!"(To) eat out of someone's hands:To do whatever someone else wants. ex. "James would do anything for Vicky. She had him eating out of her hands."(To) eat one's words:To admit that what one said was wrong. ex. "You think I won't be able to find work in one week? I'm going to make you eat your words."Elbow room:Enough space (room) to feel comfortable.Enough is enough:That is enough and there should be no more.(To) enter one's mind:To cross one's mind. To start thinking about something. "You want me to become a doctor? The thought never even entered my mind."Everything but the kitchen sink:Almost everything one can think of.Every so often:Once in while. Occasionally.Every other:Every second. Alternate. ex. "In Los Angeles, every other person is an actor." Expecting:Pregnant.F(To) face the music:To accept the (unpleasant) consequences of what you have done.(To) fall flat (on one's face):To fail. To be unsuccessful. ex. "The play fell flat on its face."Fair-weather friendA person who is only your friend when things are going well for you.(To) feel like a new person:To feel refreshed, rejuvenated.(To) fall into place:To become organized. To fit together. ex. "Once I started meditating, everything in my life began to fall into place."(To) fall short:To lack something. ex. "We tried to raise fifty thousand dollars, but we fell short by about ten thousand."(A) falling out:A disagreement/break in a friendship. ex. "We had a falling out over what she said." (A) far cry:Very different (often in a worse way). ex. "This wine is nice, but it's a far cry from the wine we had yesterday."(To) feel like a new person:To feel refreshed, rejuvenated.(To) feel out of place:To feel like you don't belong. ex. "We went to Mary's party last night. There were many strange people there and I felt a little out of place, so we left."(A) Fifth wheel:Useless, out of place, unnecessary. "There were only couples there... I felt like a fifth wheel."(To) fill someone's shoes:To replace someone. To do something someone else used to do. ex. "Cathy has been working here for 20 years. It's going to be hard to find someone to fill her shoes."(A) fine line:Not much difference. ex. "Sometimes there's a fine line between love and infatuation." First and foremost:First and most importantly.First thing:Before anything else. ex. "Call me first thing tomorrow morning."(To) fish for a compliment:To try very hard to get a compliment from someone.(To) fix someone (some food - like cocoa, oatmeal, etc.):To prepare (some food) for someone. "I'll fix you a cup of cocoa."Flat broke:Very poor. Having absolutely no money.(To) follow one's heart:To act according to your feelings/ emotions. ex. "I couldn't decide what to do so I just followed my heart."Food for thought:Something to think about.(A) fork in the road:A point when a road splits in two directions.Free and easy:Casual. Not very serious. ex. "Sarah was looking for a free and easy relationship."(A) fresh pair of eyes:A new reader, someone who hasn't seen something before. ex. "Hey can you come check out this report? We need a fresh pair of eyes."(A) full plate:A busy schedule. ex. "Mark can you help me with this project? Not really, I've got a full plate right now."Fun and games:Playing around. Time spent doing worthless things. ex. "OK, Neil, the fun and games are over. It's time to get down to work."G(To) get a move on:To go or do something quickly, to get going, etc. ex. "Hey if we want to make the 8:00 PM show we should get a move on."(To) get carried away:To exaggerate/ go too far/ to become emotional. ex. "I got carried away. I bought 10 shirts!" "She got carried away when she started talking about the war."(To) get caught up:To become involved, especially emotionally. ex. "I just got caught up in his plan and couldn't think straight."(To) get cold feet:To become timid or frightened. ex. "I usually get cold feet when I have to speak in public."(To) get down to business:To start working seriously. ex. "Enough playing around - let's get down to business."(To) get that all the time:To hear something constantly. ex. "Hey, you really look like Brad Pitt! Yeah, I get that all the time."(To) get one's foot in the doorTo get started in a process. To attain a favorable position which will help one work toward a goal. ex. "I'm trying to find a better job, but I can't get my foot in the door. (To) get one's fill of something:To have enough of something. To have a lot of something. ex. "She's had her fill of trouble lately."(To) get on someone's nerves:To annoy someone. To bother or irritate someone.(To) get rid of (something/someone):To eliminate. To throw away. To hide. ex. "This detergent gets rid of dirt better than any other one that I've used.", "Get rid of the cigarette - your mother's coming!"(To) get something off one's chest:To say something that has been on your mind. To say something that has been botheringyou. "Did you tell her about Hawaii? Yes, and I felt much better once I got that off my chest."(To) get the blues:To become sad or depressed.(To) get something straight:To clarify something. To understand something clearly.(To) give someone a call:To call someone (on the telephone).(To) give someone the benefit of the doubt:To believe in someone despite information that makes them seem guilty of something. ex. "Hey, don't believe the rumors - give him the benefit of the doubt."(To) give someone a piece of one's mind:To bawl someone out. To let someone know how one really feels. "After that driver took my parking spot, I really gave him a piece of my mind."(A) go-getter:an aggressive employee, a hard worker. "Jim is a real go-getter. He's always taking the initiative."(To) go Dutch:When a group of people go out and everyone pays for him/herself.(To) go overboard:To do too much. To exaggerate. "They really went overboard with the party preparations." (To) go up in flames:To burn. To be consumed in flames.(To) go over something with a fine toothed comb:To go over something very carefully, esp. checking for errors. "Here's the report - Make sure to go over it with a fine toothed comb."(To) go to someone's head:To make someone overly conceited or proud. ex. "That award that he won really went to his head."(To) a golden opportunity:A good chance to succeed, a good investment. ex. "I didn't have money to buy that restaurant. I missed a golden opportunity."HHalf-baked:Foolish.Hand-me-down:Usually said of clothing that has been passed on from one person to another. ex. "A hand-me-down dress."Hands down:Easily. By far. ex. "She is hands down the most beautiful girl in class."Hang on:Be prepared for fast and/or rough movement.(To) hang on someone's every word:To listen very carefully to someone. ex. "Grandpa was telling a story and the kids were hanging on his every word."(To) hate someone's guts:To hate someone very much. (To) have a big mouth:To be a gossiper. To be a person who can't keep a secret. ex. "Don't tell her anything! She has a big mouth."(To) have a lot going for (someone):To have a lot of good things in one's life. To have many things working to one's benefit. ex. "She has a lot going for her - she's smart, she's attractive, she has a good job, etc."(To) have a sweet tooth:To love to eat candy or other sweets.(To) have an edge:To have an advantage.(To) have mixed feelings (about something):To be unsure or uncertain about something.(To) have one's hands full:To be busy, occupied with some kind of activity, work, etc. ex. "I have my hands full with my three children."(To) have one's heart set on something:To really want something to happen. To expect something to happen. ex. "Julie has her heart set on going to London this summer."(A) hit:A popular song or film. ex. "Titanic was a hit (movie)."(To) hit the spot:To satisfy a need exactly. To be exactly right (often said about food or drinks). ex. "That was a delicious meal - It hit the spot."(To) hit bottom:To reach the lowest point.(To) hit the road:To leave, start on a trip, etc. ex. "It's already 9:00 AM - We have to hit the road!"(To) hit a snag:To run into a problem. ex. "The project hit a snag when testing failed to produce favorable results"Hold on!Wait. "Hold on, I'll be with you in just a moment."(To be) homesickTo miss one's home, country, city, etc. "Francesca is really homesick. She really wants to go back to Italy."How on earth...? How in the world...?When asking a question, "How on earth..." and "How in the world..." emphasize the fact that something incredible or very hard to believe happened. "How on earth did you getthat job? (it was very hard to get)" "How on earth did you fix that car!? (it was impossible to fix)" etc.IIf worst comes to worst:If things get really bad. ex. "If worst comes to worst, we can always fire him."Ill-at-ease:Uncomfortable. ex. "She seemed to be ill-at-ease talking to the doctor about her problems".In bad taste:Rude. Vulgar. Obscene. ex. "John's jokes are always in bad taste."In broad daylight:Publicly visible in the daytime. ex. "This city is very dangerous. You can get robbed in broad daylight."In good shape/ condition:Physically and functionally sound and sturdy. "Shape" is generally used more for people. ex. "The car is in good condition. Bill is in good shape."In mint condition:In perfect condition (not used for people).In no mood to do something:To not feel like doing something. To not want to do something. ex. "I'm in no mood to cook dinner tonight."In season:Currently available for selling (often said of fresh fruit and vegetables). ex. "Tomatoes are very cheap now because they're in season."In stock:Available for purchase, as in goods in a store. ex. "Do you have any more of these books in stock? No, I'm sorry we don't."In the air:Everywhere. All around.In the long run:Over a long period of time. Ultimately. ex. "He smokes a lot now, and I'm afraid that in the long run it will cost him his health."In the same boat:In the same situation (usually negative).In and out:Coming in and going out often. ex. "She's been in and out all day."In with:Friendly with. Friends with. ex. "At high school he was in with the wrong crowd. That's why he always got in trouble."In advance:Ahead of time.JJam-packed:Very crowded. ex. "The stadium was jam packed on Saturday."(To) jam on the brakes:To hit/ step on the brakes suddenly to stop the car.Jack-of-all-trades:A person who knows how to do a lot of different things.(To) jump all over someone/ jump down someone's throat:To criticize or blame someone. ex. "As soon as I brought up going out with my friends, she jumped all over me."(To) jump the gun:To get something started too soon. To start too soon. ex. "We have to do a lot more work before we launch this product. We don't want to jump the gun."(To) jump at:To quickly accept. ex. "The journalist jumped at the chance to interview Madonna."Just about:Almost. ex. "I'm just about finished."Just now:Just a minute ago.Just what the doctor ordered:Exactly what is needed. ex. "This vacation is great! It's just what the doctor ordered."K(To) keep a low profile:To lay low. To not attract attention to oneself by talking loudly, dressing in flashy clothes, causing trouble, etc. ex. "The bank robbers knew that they had to keep a low profile until they crossed the border."(To) keep an eye on:To watch. To pay attention to. ex. "I have to go to the store. Can you please keep an eye on the baby for 10 minutes?"(To) keep a straight face:To force oneself not to laugh, even though one wants to. ex. "He was saying the stupidest things, and I was finding it hard to keep a straight face."(To) keep one's cool:To remain calm.(To) keep one's word:To uphold one's promise. ex. "He's a very honorable person who always keeps his word." (To) keep someone posted:To keep someone informed.(To) keep someone up:To not allow someone to sleep. ex. "The neighbors' party kept me up all night."(To) keep something to oneself:To not let others know about something. To not reveal something. ex. "Hey, don't tell anyone about your time in prison. Keep it to yourself."(To) keep track of:To maintain a record of. ex. "I don't know where all my money goes. It's hard to keep track of my expenses."(A) kept man/woman:Someone who is in a relationship where the other person pays for everything. ex. "Stephen's girlfriend always pays for everything. He's such a kept man."(To) kick back:To relax.(To) kick oneself:To regret.(To) kill time:To waste time.Knock it off!:Stop it!Knock on wood:A phrase said to cancel out (imaginary) bad luck.(To) know something inside-out:To know something completely and thoroughly. ex. "Let me show you around - I know this neighborhood inside-out."(To) know the score:To know the facts. To know how things go.Know-it-all:A person who acts like they know everything. ex. "Robert is so conceited! Yeah, he's a real know-it-all."L(A) lady-killer:A handsome man; a man who charms women. This does NOT mean "killer of ladies!" :) Last but not least:Last in order but not last in importance. ex. "Last but not least I'd like to thank myparents."Last ditch (adj.):Final (*has a slight connotation of "desperate"*). ex. "They made a last-ditch effort to win the game, but came up short."(To) lay a finger on someone:To touch someone even very slightly. ex. "If you so much as lay a finger on him, you will be in trouble."(To) lay low:SEE "Keep a low profile"(To) leave a bad taste in someone's mouth:To leave a negative impression on someone.(To) leave someone high and dry:To leave someone helpless. ex. "Don't leave me high. Don't leave me dry." - Radiohead (To) leave someone in peace/ alone:To stop bothering someone. ex. "Leave me alone! I don't want to talk to anyone." (To) let off steam:To release energy or anger. ex. "Victor went drinking, and got into a fight. That's OK, he's just letting off a little steam."(To) let someone off the hook:To release someone from responsibility. ex. "Natalie said she didn't want to wash the dishes, but her mom didn't let her off the hook."(To) let something slide:To neglect something. To ignore something. ex. "I'm going to let it slide this time, but next time be more careful!"(A) lift:A ride. ex. "She gave me a lift to the airport."Little by little:Slowly, gradually. ex. "Little by little she started to like living in New York City."(A) little off:Not quite even, normal. ex. "There was something a little off about the way she was behaving."(To) lock horns:To argue. To have a dispute. To disagree.(To) look the other way:To ignore something on purpose. ex. "In some countries, customs officials can be paid to look the other way."(A) long shot:Something that has a slim (small) chance of happening. "They might win, but it's a long-shot."(To) lose (someone):This is often used when someone is chasing someone OR being chased by someone. Ifyou're being chased by someone and you manage to get away you can say - "I lost him!" - The person chasing you can say the same thing - "I lost him" :)(To) lose one's temper:。
美国流行常用习语
熟练地运用英语的一个重要方面就是学习并掌握英语本族者常用的生动、活泼的习语。
1.After you。
你先请。
这是一句很常用的客套话，在进出门，上下车时都可以表现一下。
2.I just couldn't help it。
我就是忍不住。
例如：I was deeply moved by the film and I cried and cried. I just couldn't help it。
3.Don't take it to heart。
别往心里去，别为此而忧虑伤神。
例如：This test isn't that important. Don't take it to heart。
4.We'd better be off。
我们该走了。
例如：It's getting late. We'd better be off。
5.Let's face it/the music。
面对现实吧。
常表明说话人不愿意逃避困难的现状。
例句：I know it's a difficult situation. Let's face it, OK?6.Let's get started。
咱们开始干吧。
劝导别人时说：Don't just talk. Let's get started。
更口语化的还有let's do it rightnow./let's hit sth./let's rock& roll./let's put our hands on sth。
7.I'm really dead。
我真要累死了。
坦陈自己的感受时说：After all that work, I’m really dead。
8.I've done my best。
我已尽力了。
这句话，很有用，失败有时难免，但是你要是可以说，i've done my best.or I spare no efforts。
美国习语-临阵而退缩,实践长真知
美国习语:临阵而退缩，实践长真知美国现在流行的习语有哪些呢？今天小编给大家带来美国习语，希望能够帮助到大家，下面小编就和大家分享，来欣赏一下吧。
美国习语: 临阵而退缩，实践长真知Peter told his wife that this time he was really going to walk in anddemand a pay raise from the boss. But when he arrived at the office, he got coldfeet. I really need to get my teeth fixed, but every time I start to phone thedentist, I think about the sound of that drill and right away I get cold feet. Iknow most of you are afraid to embarrass yourselves by trying to speak Englishafter these first few lessons. But that s the best way to learn: when you meetan American, try a few words, jump in and get your feet wet. I want to get intopolitics so I m volunteering to put up signs for one of the people running formayor. I don t get paid for it but it s a chance to jump in and get my feetwet.cold feet jump in and get your feet wet一个人在充满信心的时候往往就会无所畏惧，勇往直前。
美国常用习语分享
美国常用习语分享流畅的口语如何练就?秘籍就是熟练使用习语。
今天小编给大家带来了美国习语，希望能够帮助到大家，下面小编就和大家分享，来欣赏一下吧。
美国习语：hat习惯用语今天我们要给大家介绍两个和“帽子”，也就是英文里的“hat”这个字有关的习惯用语。
二次世界大战以前，美国人一年四季都戴帽子。
男人一年之中大多数时间戴毡帽，到了夏天就戴草帽。
女士们要是没有一顶时髦的帽子就好像不能出门似的。
而现在，大多数美国人一年到头根本就不戴帽子。
有些年轻人恐怕一辈子没买过一顶帽子。
可是，那些和“hat”这个字有关的俗语却仍然常常出现在人们的讲话中。
首先给大家介绍下面这个俗语：at the drop of a hat。
At the drop of a hat的意思是：一有信号可以马上行动。
它往往用来形容那些脾气很暴燥的人，例如像下面这个例子中的人：例句-1: "Tom Atkins is usually a good-hearted, friendly guy. But he has oneproblem--a hot temper. Say something he doesn't agree with, and he'll start a loud argument at the drop of a hat."这个话的意思是：“汤姆?阿特金斯一般来说是一个心地善良，很友好的人。
但是，他有一个毛病，那就是脾气太坏。
要是你说些什么他不同意的话，他可以马上和你大声争辩。
”At the drop of a hat这个习惯用语不一定要用于争辩或打架的场合。
它也可以解释为：在有必要的时候，某人可以立即行动，就像下面这个例子所说的一样：例句-2: "I have a job that involves a lot of travel on short notice. I always keep one bag packed so I'm ready to go at the drop of a hat when I get a call from the boss asking me to catch the next plane to Chicago."这句话是说：“我的工作经常需要在得到通知后马上出门去。
标准美国习语大全
Cry wolf
(To give a false alarm)
If you cry wolf one more time, help won’t come when you really need it.
Cup of tea
(Something you enjoy or do well or easily)
(A clumsy or tactless person)
I felt like a bull in a china shop when I knocked over my drink.
Butter up or butter up to
(become friends by flattery)
It was fun to butter up the secretary when I went for my job interview.
Hang-up
(A delay in some process)
There was a hang-up in getting our text books printed.
Hit the ceiling
(To become very angry)
I hit the ceiling when he told me he had wrecked my car.
Get to the point
(Talk about the important Idea)
It took the lecturer a long time to get to the point.
Get off my back
(Leave me alone)
I told her to get off my back.
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Potluck Party：一种聚餐方式，主人准备场地和餐具，参加的人必须带一道菜或准备饮料，最好事先问问主人的意思。
Pull over！把车子开到旁边。
Drop me a line！写封信给我。
Give me a ring.=Call me！来个电话吧！For here or to go？堂食或外卖。
Cool：That's cool!等於台湾年轻人常用的囗语"酷！"，表示不赖嘛！用于人或事均可。
What's up?=What's happening?=What's new?见面时随囗问候的话"最近在忙什么？有什么新鲜事吗？"一般的回答是"Nothing much!"或"Nothing new!"Cut it out!=Knock it out！=Stop it!少来这一套！同学之间开玩笑的话。
Don't give me a hard time!别跟我过不去好不好！Get yourself together!振作点行不行！Do you have"the"time?现在几点钟？可别误以为人家要约你出去。
Hang in there.=Don't give up.=Keep trying.再撑一下。
Give me a break!你饶了我吧！（开玩笑的话）Hang on.请稍候。
Blow it.=Screw up.搞砸了。
What a big hassle.真是个麻烦事。
What a crummy day.多倒霉的一天。
Go for it.加油You bet.=Of course.当然；看我的！Wishful thinking.一厢情愿的想法。
Don't be so fussy!别那么挑剔好不好。
It's a long story.唉！说来话长。
How have you been?=How are you doing?你过得如何？近来可好?Take things for granted.自以为理所当然。
Don't put on airs.别摆架子。
Give me a lift!=Give me a ride!送我一程吧！Have a crush on someone.迷恋某人What's the catch?有什么内幕？Party animal.开Party狂的人(喜欢参加舞会的人)Pain in the neck.=Pain in the ass.眼中钉，肉中刺。
Skeleton in the closet.家丑Don't get on my nerve!别把我惹毛了！A fat chance.=A poor chance.机会很小I am racking my brains.我正在绞尽脑She's a real drag.她真有点碍手碍脚Spacingout=daydreaming.做白日梦I am so fed up.我受够了！It doesn't go with your dress.跟你的衣服不配。
What's the point?=What are you trying to say?你的重点是什么？By all means=Definitely.一定是。
Let's get a bite.=Let's go eat.去吃点东西吧！I'll buy you a lunch(a drink;a dinner).=It's on me.=My treat.我请客Let's go Dutch.各付各的My stomach is upset.我的胃不舒服diarrhea拉肚子吃牛排时，waiter会问"How would you like it?"就是问"要几分熟"的意思，可以选择rare，medium或welldone。
I am under the weather.=I am not feeling well.我不太舒服!May I take a rain check?可不可改到下次？(例如有人请你吃饭，你不能赴约，只好请他改到下一次。
)I am not myself today.我今天什么都不对劲!Let's get it straight.咱们把事情弄清楚!What's the rush!急什么!Such a fruitcake!神经病！I'll swing by later.=I'll stop by later.待会儿，我会来转一下。
I got the tip straight from the horse's mouth.这个消息是千真万确的（tip指消息）!easy as pie=very easy=piece of cake很容易。
flunk out被当掉take French leave不告而别I don't get the picture.=I don't understand.我不明白。
You should give him a piece of your mind.你应该向他表达你的不满。
hit the road=take off=get on one's way离开。
Now he is in the driver's seat=He is in control now.Keep a low profile(or low key).采取低姿态。
Kinky=bizarre=wacky=weird古怪的。
klutz(=clutz)=idiot白痴、笨蛋。
know one's way around识途老马。
lion's share大部份。
tailgate尾随（尤其跟车跟得太近）。
take a back seat.让步。
take a hike=leave me alone=get lost滚开。
hit the hay=go to bed睡觉。
Can you give me a lift?=Can you give me a ride?载我一程好吗？green hand生手、没有经验的人。
moonshine=mountain dew指私酿的烈酒（威士忌）或走私的酒。
胡说八道也可用moonshine。
His story is plain moonshine.chill out=calm down=relax（来自黑人英语）rip off=steal：I was ripped off.我被偷了；rip off也常被用为"剥夺"My right was ripped off.权利被剥夺(来自黑人英语)。
我们称美国大兵为G.I.(Government Issue)or GI Joe,德国兵或德国佬为Fritzor Kraut，称英国佬为John Bull，日本人为Jap.或Nip，犹太人为Jew都是很不礼貌的称呼。
mess around(with)瞎混；Get to work.Don't mess around.赶快工作，别瞎搅和。
snob势利眼sneak in,sneak out偷偷溜进去，溜出来 sneakers运动鞋She is such a brownnose.她是个马屁精。
This is in way over my head.对我而言这实在太难了。
I am an exam jitter and I always get a cramp in my stomach.我是个考试紧张大师，一考试胃就抽筋。
Keep your study(work)on track.请按进度读书（工作）。
Did you come up with any ideas?有没有想到什麽新的意见？Don't get uptight!Take it easy.别紧张，慢慢来！Cheese!It tastes like cardboard.天哪，吃起来味如嚼腊！Get one's feet wet.与中文里的"涉足"或"下海"，寓意相同，表示初尝某事。
I am going to try dancing for the very first time.Just to get my feet俚语（Slang）英语俚语是一种非正式的语言，通常用在非正式的场合，所以在用这些俚语是一定要考虑到所用的场合和对象，最好不要随意用这些俚语。
下面是一些常用的俚语。
1. a bird in the hand is worth two the bush 一鸟在手，胜似二鸟在林2. a blank slate 干净的黑板（新的一页，新的开始）3. a bone to pick 可挑剔的骨头（争端，不满）4. a cat nap 打个盹儿5. a chip off the old block 大木头上砍下来的小木片（子肖其父）6. a chip on one's shoulder 肩头的木片（自卑感，因为自卑而爱找别人麻烦；喜欢向人挑衅）7. a ouch potato 躺椅上的马铃薯（懒鬼）8. a cake walk 走去吃糕（易事）9. a headache 头痛（麻烦事）10. a knock out 击倒（美得让人倾倒）11. a load off my mind 心头大石落地12. a nut 傻子，疯子13. a pain in the neck 脖子疼（苦事）14. a piece of cake 一块蛋糕（小菜一碟，易事一件）15. a pig 猪猡16. a shot in the dark 盲目射击（瞎猜）17. a short fuse 引线短（脾气火爆）18. a sinking ship 正在下沉的船19. a slam dunk 灌篮（轻而易举的事）20. a slap in the face 脸上挨了一耳光（公然受辱）21. a smoke screen 烟幕22. a social butterfly 社交蝴蝶（善于交际，会应酬的人）23. a stick in the mud 烂泥中的树枝24. a thick skin 厚脸皮25. a thorn in someone's side 腰上的荆棘（芒刺在背）26. a turn coat 反穿皮袄的人（叛徒）27. an uphill battle 上坡作战（在逆境中求胜）28. a weight off my shoulders 放下肩头重担29. ace 得满分（得到完美的结果）30. all ears 全是耳朵（洗耳恭听）31. all thumbs 满手都是大拇指（笨手笨脚）32. an ace up my sleeve 袖里的王牌33. an open and shut case明显的事件34. ants in one's pants 裤裆里有蚂蚁（坐立不安）35. back in the saddle重上马鞍（重整旗鼓）36. back on track重上轨道（改过自新）37. backfire逆火（弄巧成拙，适得其反）38. ball and chain 铁球铁链，甜蜜的枷（老婆）39. beat a dead horse 鞭打死马令其奔驰（徒劳）40. beaten by the ugly stick 被丑杖打过（生得难看）41. beggar can't be choosers 讨饭的谈不上挑三拣四42. bet on it 下这一注稳赢（有把握，无疑）43. bet your life 把命赌上（绝对错了）44. better half 我的另一半45. between a rack and a hard place 进退维谷（前有狼后有虎）46. big headed 大脑袋（傲慢，自大）47. bigger fish to fry 有更大的鱼要炸（有更重要的事要办）48. bite off more than one can chew 贪多嚼不烂49. bite the bullet 咬子弹（强忍痛苦）50. birds of a feather flock together 羽毛相同的鸟总飞成一群（物以类聚）51. blow up in you face 在眼前爆炸（事情完全弄砸了）52. bologna 胡说，瞎说53. break a let 折断一条腿（表演真实，演出成功）54. break the ice 破冰（打破僵局）55. bright聪明，灵光56. brown nose 讨好，谄媚57. bug somebody 使人讨厌58. bull in a china shop 瓷器店里的蛮牛（笨拙的人，动辄弄坏东西的人）59. bump into 撞上（巧遇）60. burn brides 烧桥（过河拆桥）61. burst your bubble 扎破泡泡（打破人的幻想，煞风景）62. bury one's head in the sand把头埋在沙里（自欺欺人）63. butterfingers奶油手指（抓不稳东西的人）64. butterflies in my stomach肚里有只蝴蝶（心里紧张，七上八下）65. buy the farm买下农场（归道山，死了）66. call it a night一日事毕，可以睡觉了67. can't teach an old dog new tricks老狗学不会新把戏68. cash in my chips兑换筹码（睡觉，就寝）69. chicken鸡（胆小鬼）70. circle the wagons把篷车围成一圈（严阵以待）71. clean up one's act自我检点，自我改进72. come down in bucket倾盆大雨73. come down in sheets整片整片地下（倾盆大雨）74. cool your lips冷静下来75. cost someone an arm and a leg要花上一条胳膊一条腿（代价昂贵）76. count on something /doing something 这事靠得住77. count your chickens before they hatch 蛋还没孵化，先数小鸡78. crock 破瓦片（无用之物，废话）79. cross the line 跨过线（做得太过分了）80. cross that bridge when we come to it 到了桥头就过桥（船到桥头自然直）81. cry over spilled milk 为泼了牛奶而哭（为过去的失败而懊丧）82. cushion the blow 给垫着点儿（说话绵软一点，以免打击太重）83. cut to the chase 抄捷径去追猎物（不绕圈子，开门见山，单刀直入）84. daily grind 例行苦事，每天得干的苦工85. days are numbered 来日无多86. dead center 正当中87. deadend street 死路，死巷子88. dog 狗（丑八怪）89. domino effect 骨牌效应90. don't hold your breath 别憋着呼吸（别期望太高）91. don't look a gift horse in the mouth 赠马不看牙（收人礼物别嫌好道歹）92. down to the wire 最后关头93. down under 南边（常指面半球的澳洲）94. downhill from here 从此都是下坡路（自此每况愈下）95. drop the ball 掉了球（失职）。