课堂里学不到的英语

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

pick holes in
这条习语意思指对某人的工作挑毛病，指出错误。

A: You've been depressed since you came from Professor Li's office.
B: I am worrying about my dissertation.
A: Yeah, was Professor Li satisfied with it?
B: Not really, and he picked holes in my paper. He pointed out many defects of my paper.
A: It's not good news, and then what would you do next?
B: What should I do? Rewrite it!

pink slip
在美国，解雇一位雇员的通知单多是粉红色的，因此在美国解雇通知单便被习惯称为pink slip. 此外，pink在西方人的眼中也是身体健康的标志，像是中国的“红光满面”，即词组in the pink.

A: Poor Jack. He's got a pink slip yesterday. No wonder he's so gray.
B: Sorry, I don't quite understand. What's a pink slip?
A: It's a dismissal. He's got kicked out from his company.

plastic
在俚语中可用plastic指代信用卡。（信用卡看上去确实像一块塑料片）

A: I forget to get any cash with me. Do you think this shop will accept plastic?
B: Of course, the man in front of us did so. I saw him using a credit card.
A: That's great!

play the game
这条成语是由人们按照规则进行比赛引申来的，意指按照规则公平竞争。于是也可以表示一个人行动光明正大，不搞阴谋诡计。

A: Anything fancy in today's newspaper?
B: Yes, it is said that the manager of our firm has committed bribery.
A: I cannot believe it, for he always plays the game. He used to be an honest man.
B: Nor could I think it was true.
A: Yeah, I'd rather trust him.
B: But who knows? People wear masks!

psyched
俚语。如在下面对话中的意思是“积极性刚被调动起来”。

A: He's definitely not a good team leader!
B: Why do you say so?
A: Every time he gets all the team members just psyched, he will say, "I think that's all, guys!" Really frustrating!
B: You may select a new leader then.

pull my leg
意思是“你在戏弄我”。如：I don't believe you. You are pulling my leg. 相当于You are kidding me.

A: Who are you dating with tonight?
B: Marylyn.
A: Oh, man! You are pulling my leg.
B: Just wait and see.

rad
英语俚语，相当于“cool, excellent, wonderful, marvelours”，“好极了”。

A: How did you spend your summer holiday?
B: I rented a bicycle, and rode it across the state from north to south for 20 days.
A: That's so rad!
B: I thought it was impossible for me to manage it, but finally I made it.

rain cats and dogs
这条成语已经有三百多年的历史了。猫和狗因相互仇视而出名，在一起时往往闹得不可开交，这条成语就是以猫和狗的闹声来比喻滂沱大雨的声音。

A: Have you seen Angel? I need her help.
B: She's out to attend a meeting.
A: But it's now raining cats and dogs!
B: Yes, but she didn't take an unbrella with her.
A: She would get soaked through.

rainy day
这个和雨有关的习语的历史也十分久远，意思是指“困难的日子”。

A: It is said that your company was struggling against bankruptcy three months ago.
B: To be exact, three and a half months.
A: I am sorry about it, but how did you afford to cover all those expenses?
B: Thanks to a sum of money left by my father, we managed through those rainy days.
A: Those days are really very hard for you.
B: It's true. But now I am quiet OK!

raise the roof
这个俚语通常用来形容由于聚会而制造出过多的噪音，仿佛要把房顶掀翻。

A: My neighbors are raising the roof! I got to call the police to stop them.
B: The noise is unbearable, but you'd better call them first, and if it doesn't work, call the police. You are neighbors anyway.
A: All right.

remote
在抽象的引申意义上，它可以表示心理距离比较远，生疏的意思。此外还有deep, further等等。

A: I met Collins yesterday at the party. I remember you've mentioned he was a friend of yours.
B: No. I don't like him very much, for he's always quite remote.
A: I agree with you. You know something? When I was ready to be introduced to him, he walked away suddenly as if I was something hideous.
B: That's him. It's exactly his style. Don't mind.