carry/take the can
We were both equally at fault, but I had to carry the can. carry the can源于軍隊用語。部隊操練結束后,班長或老兵讓新兵去補給站搬啤酒來喝;喝完之后,新兵還要收拾好空罐送回去(carry the can)。此語大約20世紀50年代開始出現(xiàn)。后喻指“代人受過”、“背黑鍋”。上句可譯為:我們倆都有錯,但是,我必須承擔責任。
cap in hand
He went to his father cap in hand and begged his forgiveness. 舊時,下級對上級、仆人對主人說話時總是恭恭敬敬地摘下帽子,拿在手里,置于胸前,表示尊敬。cap in hand即表示“恭恭敬敬地”、“卑躬屈膝地”。上句可譯為:他畢恭畢敬地走到他父親面前請求寬恕。
cattle show
They tried to win over the voters by holding cattle show. cattle show(牛展),原指美國舉辦的菜牛和乳牛展,常與農(nóng)業(yè)展覽會一起舉行,還要進行評獎。在美國俚語中則指“(競選者發(fā)表觀點、展示魅力的)亮相大會”,是20世紀70年代以來美國報刊常用語。上句可譯為:他們試圖通過舉辦亮相大會來贏得選票。
under the counter
He managed to get cigarettes under the counter. under the counter,原指第二次大戰(zhàn)期間商品短缺,一些不法商人把貨物藏在柜臺下(under the counter),高價售給顧客或做后門買賣。后此語即喻指“偷偷地”、“私下里”、“走后門”。上句可譯為:他試圖偷偷地弄些香煙。
in full cry
She left the airport followed by the newspaper reporters in full cry. in full cry,原指在狩獵時,當獵狗發(fā)現(xiàn)獵物便會一起吠叫著沖向獵物。后此語也廣泛用于其他場合,指“緊追”、“拼命進攻”。上句可譯為:當她離開機場時,報社的記者們緊追不舍。
someone‘s face is a picture
Her face was a picture when I told her the news. 如果某人的臉是一幅畫(someone‘s face is a picture),那么說明他“非常震驚或生氣”。上句可譯為:當我把這個消息告訴她時,她非常驚訝。
咬文嚼字
free hand: 全權;無拘無束
自由之手,指全權,無拘無束(complete rights; unlimited freedom of action)。 He‘s given his brother a free hand to direct his business during his absence. 他不在家時,讓弟弟全權負責他的生意。
gasbag:夸夸其談其談的人;廢話連篇的人
氣囊,俚語指夸夸其談其談的人;廢話連篇的人(a person who talks too much; empty talker)。John is a gasbag. 約翰是個夸夸其談的人。
head of hair: 濃密頭發(fā)
指濃密的頭發(fā)(a thick mass of hair on a person‘s head)。She has a beautiful head of hair. 她有一頭漂亮而濃密的頭發(fā)。
eye-opener:使人開眼界的新奇事物
I knew he was strong, but it was quite an eye-opener when I saw him lift that car. eye-opener原指晨起時空肚喝的清醒酒,19世紀初始用于美國。后喻指“使人驚奇的事/東西”、“使人開眼界的事/東西”。上句可譯為:我知道他強壯,不過當我看到他把那汽車抬起時,我才大開眼界。此語亦指“(毒品癮君子一天中注射的)睜眼第一針”。
beauty sleep:美容小睡
頭半夜的睡眠(sleep during the early part of the night , believed to be better for health and beauty)。后亦喻指“小睡”、“打盹”。Many famous beauties take a beauty sleep every day. 許多著名美人每人都有小睡的習慣。