at sixes and sevens 七上八下

2011年12月2日 星期五

at sixes and sevens means
(1) confused or undecided : eg. I’m at sixes and sevens about what to do.(2) in disorder: eg. Your room is all at sixes and sevens.
這個用法和中文很好玩的是,都是用數字表示。翻譯成中文是七上八下,亂七八糟。英文卻是用6和7來表示。

in one's element

Note: in one’s element means “doing what one’s happiest or best at doing”
The opposite phrase is to be “out of one’s element.”

When I watched a TV program, Project Runway, a couple of days earlier, I actually heard one of the designers saying this phrase. He said that designing is in his element.

grin and bear it (逆來順受,苦笑著忍受)

to grin and bear it" means to suffer something unpleasant without complaint

eg. I hate having my wife's parents to stay, but I suppose I 'll just have to grin and bear it!

Give me five!(99下~week17)

2011年6月6日 星期一

(1) idiom:  Give me five!(歡呼擊掌)
(2) meaning: people want to hit your open hand against theirs as a way of congratulation(恭喜) or greeting(招呼).
(3) example: Wow! You did a great job! Give me five!

paint the town red(99下~week15)

2011年5月23日 星期一

(1) idiom:  paint the town red (狂歡慶祝)
(2) meaning: to go out and enjoy yourself in the evening, often drinking and dancing.
(3) example: Jack finished(完成) his exams today so he's gone out to paint the town red.

it takes two to tango. (99下~week13)

2011年5月9日 星期一

(1) idiom:  It takes two to tango. (一個巴掌拍不響)
(2) meaning: both people involved in a bad situation(狀態) are responsible(負責) for it.
(3) example: She blames(責怪) Judy for starting the quarrel(爭吵). Well, it takes two to tango.

high horse (99下~week11)

2011年4月24日 星期日

(1) idiom: high horse(自傲,擺架子)
(2) meaning:
A mood or attitude of stubborn(固執) arrogance(自大傲慢) or contempt(輕視)
(3) example:
Get down off your high horse and apologize(道歉).

apples and oranges(99下~week9)

2011年4月10日 星期日

( 1) idiom: apples and oranges (南轅北轍;完全不同,無法比較)(2) meaning:two entities that are not similar(相似)
(3) example:
Talking about her current(目前) book and her previous(先前) bestseller(暢銷書) is like comparing(比較) apples and oranges.

in apple-pie order(99下~week 7)

2011年3月27日 星期日

(1) idiom: in apple-pie order  (井然有序)
(2) meaning: in very good order(順序); very well organized
(3) example:
Please put everything in apple-pie order before you leave.

Time and tide wait for no man.(99下~week5)

2011年3月14日 星期一

(1) idiom: Time and tide wait for no man.(時光不待人)(2) meaning:Things will not wait(等待) for you when you are late.
(3) example:
Fred: I can't decide(決定) which necktie(領帶) looks better.
Ellen: Time and tide wait for no man, dear.

Time is money (99下~ week 3)

2011年2月28日 星期一

(1) idiom: Time is money.
(2) meaning: Time is valuable(珍貴), so don't waste(浪費) it.
(3) example:
I can't afford to spend a lot of time standing here talking. Time is money, you know!