carry/take the can

We were both equally at fault， but I had to carry the can. carry the can源于軍隊(duì)用語。部隊(duì)操練結(jié)束后，班長(zhǎng)或老兵讓新兵去補(bǔ)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(jì)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(cuò)，但是，我必須承擔(dān)責(zé)任。

cap in hand

He went to his father cap in hand and begged his forgiveness. 舊時(shí)，下級(jí)對(duì)上級(jí)、仆人對(duì)主人說話時(shí)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(qǐng)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(huì)一起舉行，還要進(jìn)行評(píng)獎(jiǎng)。在美國俚語中則指“（競(jìng)選者發(fā)表觀點(diǎn)、展示魅力的）亮相大會(huì)”，是20世紀(jì)70年代以來美國報(bào)刊常用語。上句可譯為：他們?cè)噲D通過舉辦亮相大會(huì)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(tái)下（under the counter），高價(jià)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(shí)，當(dāng)獵狗發(fā)現(xiàn)獵物便會(huì)一起吠叫著沖向獵物。后此語也廣泛用于其他場(chǎng)合，指“緊追”、“拼命進(jìn)攻”。上句可譯為：當(dāng)她離開機(jī)場(chǎng)時(shí)，報(bào)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(dāng)我把這個(gè)消息告訴她時(shí)，她非常驚訝。

咬文嚼字

free hand: 全權(quán)；無拘無束

自由之手，指全權(quán)，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(shí)，讓弟弟全權(quán)負(fù)責(zé)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(gè)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(shí)空肚喝的清醒酒，19世紀(jì)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(qiáng)壯，不過當(dāng)我看到他把那汽車抬起時(shí)，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(xí)慣。