课堂里学不到的英语

2007/01/27 08:34 ..by zhanghongbiao

hold the baby
这是一条经过人们反复运用、交流而派生出更深层次含义的习语：“干苦差”。

A: Why didn't you attend our party last night?
B: Oh, I was terribly busy.
A: What were you engaged in?
B: Holding the baby. I was busy preparing the documents for the next day's meeting.
A: Your boss is merciless, for yesterday was weekend.
B: You are absolutely right, but I have no choice.

I don't buy it
它的意思可以是 I don't believe it. 在一定的上下文中可能是“我可不买帐”、“我不吃这一套”等意思。

A: You said you would go shopping today. Have you got anything?
B: Yes! I've bought some really smart T-shirts. It's really a good buy. Guess what? I got them only $5 for each.
A: Get out! I don't buy it.
B: I can't believe it myself too.

in repair & under repair
under repair 是“修理中”的意思；而in repair 的意思却是“已经修好”。同时要注意的有：beyond repair 无法修复，out of repair 失修，等等。

A: Can I borrow your car?
B: You know I have a date with Julia. I want to take her for a ride.
A: I'm sorry I can't, for it's just under repair.
B: It's under repair? I see. Then I have to ask Bob to lend me his.
A: I'm sorry. Maybe you can borrow it three days later.

in the black/in the red
通常用来表示商店的销售情况，亏损或是赢利。按照西方的习惯，把 black 表示赢利，而 red 表示亏损，因为他们习惯用红色的字体表示负数，也就是亏损量。

A: Have you read the financial report of this quarter?
B: Yes. I know we've always been in the red all these months. But we are taking measures to improve the situation. I'm sure it will come back in the black next quarter.
A: Good. I hope so. It all depends on your efforts.
B: You may count on us.

keep open house
意思是说“热情好客”。

A: Our new neighbor is an old couple.
B: Are you getting well with them?
A: Of course, I found them very hospitable. They always keep open house. There are usually lots of guests in their house.

kick
“kick”一词原义是“踢”，可是在口语中，它还可以表示“从中得到快感，很刺激”。

A: How do you feel about the bungee jumping?
B: Oh, it's terrific. I really have no word to describe it.
A: I can see you got a kick out of it!
B: That's it. I will surely try it again some other day.

kill
动词“kill”有很多意思，其中一条为“吸引人的”。

A: Guess whom I met in the street yesterday?
B: Don't tell me you came across the film star Juliet.
A: You never understand how lucky I am. It was her!
B: Oh, it's incredible. How was she like?
A: Beautiful, and she is dressed to kill.
B: Sure, her dress should be very modern and attractive. She used to lead the mode.

Knock yourself out
这是一个口语中常用的幽默短语，用来表达对客人的欢迎。这句话的意思是“随便参观，就像在自己家里一样”。

A: It's very kind of you to invite us to your new house.
B: Knock yourself out!
A: Your house looks very nice, simple but very cozy!
B: Thank you!

kooky
这是英语中的俚语，意思是“疯狂的、难以理解的事情”。

A: I bought a lot of food from the supermarket. You may cook it!
B: Oh, no. Don't ask me to cook it. I'd rather eat them raw, even the pork.
A: Kooky!
B: You know I don't really mean I will eat the raw meat.