查看完整版本: an idiom a day 一天学一个英语成语

[b][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][color=#800000]"[i]tie the knot[/i]"[/color][/size][/font][/b][align=left][size=4] [/size][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][color=#000080][size=4]When two people get married, they "[b]tie the knot[/b]." Example: "After dating for five years, we finally decided to [b]tie the knot[/b]." When you [b]tie[/b] "a" [b]knot[/b] you wrap two pieces of rope around each other in a certain way so that they will not come apart. When you [b]tie[/b] "[b]the[/b]" [b]knot[/b] you make a promise that you will stay together with one person whom you love. Example: "Did you hear about Dan and Jenny? They finally decided to [b]tie the knot[/b]." Two people are like two ropes and they get married to [b]tie[/b] "[b]the knot[/b]" which keeps them together. Example: "So, when are you two going to [b]tie the knot[/b]?"[/size] [/color][/size][/font][/align]

[b][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][color=#800000]"[i]wear your heart on your sleeve[/i]"[/color][/size][/font][/b][align=left][size=4] [/size][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][color=#000080][size=4][color=#000080]People who [i][b]wear their heart on their sleeve[/b][/i] express their emotions freely and openly, for all to see. [/color][/size][size=4][color=#800000]Example: "She is kind of player who never hides how she's feeling. One look at her and you know if she's winning or losing." Reply: "She [b]wears her heart on her sleeve[/b]."

[/color][color=#000080]You can see how these people feel as easily as if they were "[b]wearing[/b]" their "[b]heart[/b]" on the "[b]sleeve[/b]" of their shirt. [/color][/size][size=4][color=#800000]Example: "Some people love him and some people hate him, but my brother always lets you know how he feels. He [b]wears his heart on his sleeve[/b]."

[/color][color=#000080]People who [i][b]wear their heart on their sleeve[/b][/i] do not hold back their emotions, for good or for bad. It is clear how they feel in each moment. [/color][color=#800000]Example: "She's a shy person. She's never been one to [b]wear her heart on her sleeve[/b]."[/color][/size] [/color][/size][/font][/align]

[b][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][color=#800000]"[i]a dime a dozen[/i]"[/color][/size][/font][/b][align=left][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][color=#000080][size=4]If a thing is very common and easy to get, we say it is "[b]a dime a dozen[/b]." Example: "Do you think I should buy this now and bring it with us?" Answer: "Don't bother; those are [b]a dime a dozen[/b] where we are going." There is no need to get excited or worried about finding something that is [b]a dime a dozen[/b]. Example: "Look what I found!" Answer: "That's nothing special; those are [b]a dime a dozen[/b]." It is easy to find [b]a dime[/b] (a 10 cent US coin), and [b]a dozen[/b] (12) of something is a common, everyday unit of measure. You are not in a hurry to get a thing which is [b]a dime a dozen[/b] because it is not so special and you could get one any time you wanted. Example: "I don't need friends like him; they are [b]a dime a dozen[/b]."[/size] [/color][/size][/font][/align]

[b][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][color=#800000]"[i]a slap on the wrist[/i]"[/color][/size][/font][/b][align=left][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][color=#000080][size=4][i][b]A slap on the wrist[/b][/i] is a punishment that is very mild. Example: "He should be in jail for what he did, but he got off with just [b]a slap on the wrist[/b]."

When the punishment turns out to be less than was expected, it is considered [i][b]a slap on the wrist[/b][/i]. Example: "You got off easy this time, but stealing is a serious crime and next time it won't just be [b]a slap on the wrist[/b]."

[i][b]A slap on the wrist[/b][/i] is a light, almost gentle punishment for doing something wrong. Example: "The police have gotten very serious about prosecuting drunk drivers. Nowadays you don't just get [b]a slap on the wrist[/b]; they will throw you in jail."[/size] [/color][/size][/font][/align]

[b][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][color=#800000]"[i]an arm and a leg[/i]"[/color][/size][/font][/b][align=left][size=4] [/size][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][color=#000080][color=#000080][size=4][i][b]An arm and a leg[/b][/i] is a high price to pay. [/size][/color][size=4][color=#800000]Example: "How much did you pay for that watch?" Answer: "[b]An arm and a leg[/b]."

[/color][color=#000080]Something that is costing you [i][b]an arm and a leg[/b][/i] costs too much. [/color][/size][size=4][color=#800000]Example: "I have to move out of this hotel. It is costing me [b]an arm and a leg[/b]."

[/color][color=#000080]If it cost you [i][b]an arm and a leg[/b][/i], it was very expensive. [/color][/size][color=#800000][size=4]Example: "Be careful with that phone. It cost me [b]an arm and a leg[/b]."[/size] [/color][/color][/size][/font][/align]

[b][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][color=#800000]"[i]an axe to grind[/i]"[/color][/size][/font][/b][align=left][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][color=#000080][size=4]You have "[b]an axe to grind[/b]" with someone when you are angry with that person and you plan to confront them. Example: "Tell your brother that I have [b]an axe to grind[/b] with him!" Saying you have "[b]an axe to grind[/b]" expresses that you are angry with that person and will have a heated discussion with them. Example: "I have [b]an axe to grind[/b] with you." Answer: "Oh no; what did I do wrong?" When you are angry with someone and you plan to communicate your anger to them you have [b]an axe to grind[/b] with that person.[/size] [/color][/size][/font][/align]

[b][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][color=#800000]"[i]an about face[/i]"[/color][/size][/font][/b][align=left][size=4] [/size][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][color=#000080][size=4]You do "[b]an about face[/b]" when you begin facing one direction, then you turn completely to [b]face[/b] in the opposite direction. Example: "If you ever discover that you are walking down a dangerous street, it is best to do [b]an about face[/b] and walk in the other direction." You "[b]do an about face[/b]" when you stand facing north, for example, then turn your body in one step until you [b]face[/b] south. The term "[b]about face[/b]!" is used in the military: The drill sergeant shouts "[b]About face[/b]!" and all of the soldiers turn in one step to [b]face[/b] the opposite direction. Example: "I want you to [b]do an about face[/b], get back in that bathroom, and brush your teeth!" To "[b]do an about face[/b]" is also to change your position on something and take the opposite position.[/size] [/color][/size][/font][/align]

[b][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][color=#800000]"[i]beating a dead horse[/i]"[/color][/size][/font][/b][align=left][size=4] [/size][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][color=#000080][size=4][color=#000080]You are [i][b]beating a dead horse[/b][/i] when you insist on talking about something that cannot be changed. [/color][/size][size=4][color=#800000]Example: "I'd like to talk with you again about what happened." Reply: "Oh, come on. Let's not [b]beat a dead horse[/b]."

[/color][color=#000080][i][b]Beating a dead horse[/b][/i] is an action that has no purpose, because no matter how hard or how long you [b]beat a dead horse[/b], it is not going to get up and run. [/color][/size][size=4][color=#800000]Example: "Let's not talk about it any more. Okay?" Reply: "You're right. We're just [b]beating a dead horse[/b]."

[/color][color=#000080]To repeatedly bring up a particular topic with no chance of affecting the outcome is [i][b]beating a dead horse[/b][/i]. [/color][color=#800000]Example: "Dad, are you sure we can't get a new computer for the upstairs?" Reply: "Son, we talked about this and the decision was 'no'. You are [b]beating a dead horse[/b]."[/color][/size] [/color][/size][/font][/align]

[b][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][color=#800000]"[i]at the drop of a hat[/i]"[/color][/size][/font][/b][align=left][size=4] [/size][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][color=#000080][size=4][color=#000080]If you would do something quickly and easily, without thinking about it, you would do it [i][b]at the drop of a hat[/b][/i]. [/color][/size][size=4][color=#800000]Example: "Would you travel around the world if you had the money?" Reply: "[b]At the drop of a hat[/b]."

[/color][color=#000080]When a [b]hat[/b] [b]drop[/b]s off your head, it falls quickly and suddenly, and that is how fast you would do it [i][b]at the drop of a hat[/b][/i]. [/color][/size][size=4][color=#800000]Example: "I would take a job like that [b]at the drop of a hat[/b]."

[/color][color=#000080]You know you would do it, because you have already decided, when you would do it [i][b]at the drop of a hat[/b][/i]. [/color][/size][color=#800000][size=4]Example: "If you get an extra ticket, let me know. I would go [b]at the drop of a hat[/b]."[/size] [/color][/color][/size][/font][/align]

[b][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][color=#800000]"[i]looking a gift horse in the mouth[/i]"[/color][/size][/font][/b][align=left][size=4] [/size][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][color=#000080][size=4][color=#000080]You are [i][b]looking a gift horse in the mouth[/b][/i] when you receive a gift and then you question the value of that gift. [/color][/size][size=4][color=#800000]Example: "This shirt you gave me is not my favorite brand." Reply: "[b]Don't look a gift horse in the mouth[/b]! That was the best they had."

[/color][color=#000080]You are like a person who has been given a [b]horse[/b] as a [b]gift[/b] (a [i][b]gift-horse[/b][/i]) and you are looking into the [b]horse[/b]'s mouth to see if it is in good health. [/color][/size][size=4][color=#800000]Example: "Here is your drink." Reply: "Oh, I hate this kind." Answer: "[b]Don't look a gift horse in the mouth[/b]."

[/color][color=#000080]You should be thankful when you receive a [b]gift[/b], and not wish for something better. [i][b]Don't look a gift horse in the mouth[/b][/i] means don't measure the value of something that you have received for free. [/color][color=#800000]Example: "Great interception!" Reply: "Yes, but I almost scored a touchdown." Reply: "[b]Don't look a gift horse in the mouth[/b]."[/color][/size] [/color][/size][/font][/align]

[b][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][color=#800000]"[i]can't cut the mustard[/i]"[/color][/size][/font][/b][align=left][size=4] [/size][font=Verdana, Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2][color=#000080][size=4][color=#000080]When you are [b]not able[/b] to perform at the required level, you [i][b]can't cut the mustard[/b][/i]. [/color][/size][size=4][color=#800000]Example: "Did you hear that Williams got fired?" Reply: "Yes. He [b]couldn't cut the mustard[/b]."

[/color][color=#000080]It is as if [b]cut[/b]ting "[b]the mustard[/b]" were some test that you had to pass in order to belong. If you [i][b]can't cut the mustard[/b][/i], you are not allowed to participate. [/color][/size][size=4][color=#800000]Example: "Bob dropped out of medical school." Reply: "Why?" Answer: "He just [b]couldn't cut the mustard[/b]."

[/color][color=#000080]If you don't work hard enough, or if you just aren't good enough, you [i][b]can't cut the mustard[/b][/i]. [/color][color=#800000]Example: "So, do you think you will be [b]able to cut the mustard[/b]?"[/color][/size] [/color][/size][/font][/align]

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