英语习语精选（6）

棠下愿达

资料来源www.yuanda.org
作者：广州愿达外语学校 江明俊（加拿大英语教学法硕士）
地址：中山大道西491号棠利大厦3楼（棠下好又多对面）
联系电话：85638772、22275881

Make do with
 I don’t think we have nearly enough information for our financial plan. At this point, we will just have to make do with what we’ve got.
 ＝将就，设法应付

make heads or tails out of sth
 I couldn’t make heads or tails out of it.
 ＝弄明白

make it
 I don’t know if I can make it to the graduation ceremony.
 Here I am. I’m lucky I make it to the exam on time.
 ＝赶上

make it
 At the rate of its being used (照这个速度用下去), the copier (复印机) is not going to make it through (熬过) the rest of the year
 ＝succeed

make out
 There was so much static (静电噪音) I couldn’t make out what he was saying.
 M: Could you lend me your biology notes?
 W: Do you think you’ll be able to make out my handwriting?
 ＝understand

make sense
 It would make little sense to talk to him.
 ＝be meaningful, be sensible, be wise

meet each other half way
 You should try to meet each other half way
 ＝各让一步达成妥协

might as well
 I’ve hardly seen her since the beginning of the term. She might as well move her bed over to the office
 When you’re talking about what’s going to happen three months later, you might as well just pick a forecast out of a hat抽签问卦.
 ＝倒不如

more or less
 Blushing is more or less a learned behavior
 ＝或多或少

negotiate one’s way
 However, don’t do this unless you have a very good sense of direction and can negotiate your way through tall grass
 ＝找路

no way
 W: Shall I cut your hair for you?
 M: No way. Last time you almost made me bald (秃顶的).
 ＝没门儿！

No wonder
 No wonder these trees became symbols象征 of strength, fruitfulness, and everlasting life永生.
 ＝难怪

not much I don’t
 W: Surely you don’t want to eat at that expensive restaurant.
 M: Not much I don’t
 双重否定=肯定Yes, I do, and very much

not much of a + 职业…
 I’ve never been in a canoe and I’m not much of a swimmer either.
 ＝不太会

not to mention
 It must really help with their schedules. Not to mention how it’ll cut down on (减少) traffic.
 I would be working in the clothing store, not to mention the discount I could get on clothes there.
 ＝更不必说

nothing less than
 Our reenactment (重演行动) promises to be nothing less than spectacular (壮观).
 －不亚于, 完全

every now and then
 I only see him every now and then.
 =occasionally

now that
 Now that we’ve gone through all the numbers on our list now, I guess we can call it a day.
 ＝since, considering that

occur to sb
 Something interesting just occurred to me
 ＝突然想到

of the day
 But Americans of the day typically thought of Edison as the practical, unschooled inventor who needed no science.
 ＝当时的

on and off
 I just heard there’re gonna be showers on and off all weekend.
 ＝rom time to time; occasionally (断断续续)

on earth
 What on earth did you do to your eye?
 What one earth are you talking about?
 ＝到底

on end
 He’s been playing the computer game for six hours one end.
 W: Did Linda ever finish that introductory chapter.
 M: I’m not sure. She spends hours on end rewriting it.
 ＝continuously

on one’s own
 I’m planning to take a short leave of absence from school, so I can go there on my own.
 ＝independently

on short notice
 Do you know anyone who would do some typing on short notice.
 ＝立即

on the dot
 W: Did you and Amanda really meet at exactly five minutes to two in front of the theater?
 M: Yes, we were both there on the dot.
 ＝准点

on the strength of
 Today, largely on the strength of evidence gathered during the voyage, nearly all earth scientists agree on the theories of plate tectonics and continental drift.
 ＝on the basis of

once in a lifetime
 This tour is a once in a lifetime experience
 ＝千载难逢的

every once in a while
 Do you ever think of changing your major to art?
 Every once in a while
 ＝sometimes

out of date
 It’s been a long time since I’ve used my schedule and I’m sure it’s out of date
 ＝过时

out of one’s wits
 The fishermen were frightened out of their wits, according to reports from that time.
 ＝out of one’s mind; being crazy

out of stock
 W: I expected to receive the package several days ago.
 M: They could be temporarily out of stock.
 ＝缺货.

over a cup of coffee
 How about reviewing the notes from class now over a cup of coffee?
 ＝边喝咖啡边…

over one’s head
 It’s over my head.
 ＝Beyond understanding

over the years
 Over the years, rains have worn away消磨掉the rocky mantle (= layer) of the continents大陆.
 ＝久而久之

over time
 Over time, the client develops a high level of confidence信任 in this employee.
 ＝久而久之；随着时间的过去

owe sb one
 Anyway, I really appreciate your help. I owe you one.
 ＝欠一个人情!

pass up
 I’m sure my advisor wouldn’t want me to pass up this opportunity.
 ＝let slip; miss

pay off
 M: What a wonderful performance! The marching band has never sounded better.
 W: Thanks. I guess all those hours of practice are finally paying off.
 ＝repay

pop up
 It didn’t take long for other magazines to start popping up.
 ＝appear suddenly or unexpectedly冒出来

pull everything together
 Well, there’s still quite a bit to do, but I’ll be able to pull everything together.
 ＝To regain one’s composure

push one’s luck
 If Prof Thomason was willing to give us a three day extension延期 to finish this project作业, maybe he’ll give us a few more days.
 Let’s not push our luck, Mary, OK?
 ＝拿自己的好运冒险expect to continue to be in luck

push sth too far
 However, the argument that parties have not represented代表 significant differences in policy can be pushed too far.
 ＝言之过重

put one’s finger on
 You look different today, but I can’t quite put my finger on what it is.
 ＝to find exactly

put out
 I hope you are not too put out with me for stopping by Fred’s on the way over here. I had to pick up an assignment.
 ＝make angry

put up
 Where are they putting you up when you are on business in Hawaii.
 ＝provide lodging for; furnish a room for

quite sth
 I understand it’s quite a place.
 That article should cause quite a stir (轰动)
 We have quite an assortment (分类) of both familiar and rare creatures here.
 ＝相当了不起的

raise the roof
 I borrowed Peter’s favorite pen, and now I’ve lost it.
 －When he finds out, he will really raise the roof
 ＝勃然大怒