地道的美语惯用语

地道的美语惯用语

地道的美语惯用语

a Ball 欢度时光

蒂娜：I feel like having ball. Let’s splurge.

我心情很好，我们去花钱找乐子吧！

芭芭拉：Forget it. I’m broken.

不要，我没有钱。

蒂娜：Don’t worry. I’ll pick up the tab. ’m loaded today,

I’ll treat you.

别担心，我买单。我今天有钱，我请客。

芭芭拉：No, we’ll go Dutch. I don’t like to freeload.

不，各付各的，我不喜欢让别人请客。

V ocabulary:

Have a ball=enjoy oneself, have a good time 欢度时光、享乐

Splurge=spend a lot of money for something 花大钱

Broke=having no money 身无分文

Pick up the tab=pay the bill 付账

Loaded=having lots of money 身边带着很多钱

Treat=pay for someone else 请客

Go Dutch=each pay for himself or herself 各付各的

Freeload=get things that others pay for 让别人请客

g the Bill 付账

佛罗伦斯：I’m always running out of food.

我的食品总是不够。

蒂娜：Why don’t you pick up some odds and ends at the

store.

怎么不到店里采购一番呢？

佛罗伦斯：Because I’m fed up with having to foot the bill.. I

don’t like to throw my money down the drain.我已经厌烦了老是

付钱，不想乱花钱。

蒂娜：Have everyone chip in.

跟大家募捐一些钱吧。

佛罗伦斯：No, just skip it.

不，我才不要呢。

V ocabulary:

Run out of=finish the supply, use up 用完

Pick up=obtain, get 取得，购得

Odds and ends=miscellaneous items 各种东西

Fed up with= disgusted with, had enough of 厌烦、受够了

Down the drain(tubes)=wasted, lost 浪费

Chip in=contribute, give jointly 捐助

Skip=forget, pass over 忘记、漠视

Ends Meet 收支平衡

芭芭拉：Y ou’re a clotheshorse.

你很会穿衣服。

丽莎：I know. I love dressing up.

是啊，我喜欢打扮。

芭芭拉：Do you shop around a lot for bargains？

你经常去逛商场买便宜货吗？

丽莎：I’m lucky, I work for a department store and I get a

discount on merchandise.

我很幸运，我在百货公司工作，可以享受折扣。

芭芭拉：That’s great because everything is sky-high.

真好，每一种东西都贵得吓人。

丽莎：Y es, it’s difficult making ends meet.

要收支平衡还真不容易呢！

芭芭拉：We have to cut corners.

不节省一点不行。

丽莎：Me too, I’ve cut down on luxuries.

我也是，不能太奢侈。

V ocabulary:

Clotheshorse=a conspicuously well-dressed person 很会打扮

的人

Dress up=wear one’s best clothes 打扮

Shop around=look in many stores 逛街

Great=terrific, wonderful 很好的

Sky-high=expensive 昂贵的

Make ends meet=balance one’s budget, meet one’s

payments 收支平衡

Cut corners=limit one’s buying 控制花费

Cut down on=use less, reduce 减少

It In 大捞一笔（发横财）

佛罗伦斯：He was in the casino and started to make a bundle.

He was really raking it in.

他在赌场赢了很多钱，狠狠捞了一笔。

乔治：I bet he thought he had it made.

他一定觉得很有成就感。

佛罗伦斯：Then he started losing his shirt.

但是之后却开始输钱了。

乔治：With his temper, he probably hit the ceiling.

依他的脾气，可能大发雷霆。

佛罗伦斯：Sure. The casino took him to the cleaners.

是啊，赌场赢走了他所有的钱。

乔治：Was he a good sport?

他输得起吗？

佛罗伦斯：Oh no. He was a sore loser.

输不起，他气疯了。

V ocabulary:

Make a bundle=make a lot of money 赚大钱

Rake it in=make a lot of money 大捞一笔

Have it made=be sure of success, have everything 确信自己

的胜利

Lose one’s shirt=lose all one’s money 失去所有的钱

Hit the ceiling=get angry 发脾气

Take someone to the cleaners=win all of someone’s money,

cheat someone 赢走某人所有的钱Good sport=person who loses

well 输得起

Sore loser=person who gets angry when he loses 输不起

Short

凯伦：At the end of the week, I’m always caught short.

每到周末我就缺钱。

乔安娜：That’s because money burns a hole in your pocket.

I don’t feel sorry for you.

那是因为你太会花钱了，我可不同情你。

凯伦：How can I tighten my belt?

我要怎么省钱才好?

乔安娜：Y ou’re going to have to do without in order to get

along.

你必须节省些开支。

凯伦：I know. I’ll try brown bagging it. Within a short time

I’ll be in the chips again.

我知道，我会试着带饭，这样就没多久就可以省下不少钱。

V ocabulary:

Caught short=having an insufficient supply(especially of

money)when needed.钱渐渐不够用Burn a hole in one’s

pocket=to be spent quickly 花钱如流水

Feel sorry for=pity同情

Tighten one’s belt=economize, spend and use less 节约

Do without=live without something 不去用某些东西

Get along=manage 处理

Brown bag=bring one’s lunch from home 从家里带饭

In the chips=having plenty of money 有充足的钱

Arm and a Leg 非常昂贵

戴安娜：That car is in A-1 condition, but it would cost an arm

and a leg.

那辆车很棒，不过看起来很昂贵。

葛洛莉雅：I didn’t know you were in the market for another

car.

我不知道你想买车。

戴安娜：I’m thinking about it, but for the time being, I’ll

use this jalopy, it’ll do in a pinch..

是啊，不过目前还是开这部破车，有总比没有好。

葛洛莉雅:I’m sure a new one will set you back 10vgrand.

That ain’t hay!

新车要一万美元，是一大笔钱呢！

V ocabulary：

A-1=excellent 优秀的

An arm and a leg=a large amount of money非常昂贵

In the market for=a wanting or ready to buy 想要、准备买

For the time being=at the present time 目前

Jalopy=old car usually in poor condition 状况差的旧车

In a pinch=okay when nothing else is available 有总比没有好

Set one back=cost 花费

Grand 一千美元

That ain’t hay!=That is a lot of money! 一大笔钱

7.A Nest egg 私房钱

安迪：He’s always squawking about money.

他老是在金钱上唠唠叨叨。

吉姆：If he had a nest egg, he wouldn’t have to worry.

如果他有私房钱，就不需要操心了。

安迪：It’s difficult to salt away money today.

这年头儿要存私房钱可不容易。

吉姆：That’s true. And he tries to keep up with the Joneses.

的确如此，而且他还有维持一般的生活水平。

安迪：Not really, He tries to save, but the family expenses are

on his shoulders, That’s why he’s on pins and needles.也不完

全如此，他是想要存钱，但是要负担家庭开支的责任，所有他老是紧

张兮兮的。

吉姆：Why doesn’t he play the lottery?

他怎么不去买彩券？

安迪：Because he can bank on the fact that he’s not going

to make a killing that way.

因为他不认为他会一夜致富。

V ocabulary:

Squawk about=complain about 抱怨

Nest egg=extra money saved 私房钱

Keep up with the Joneses=try to equal your neighbors’

lifestyle 保持一般水平

On one’s shoulders=one’s responsibility 负责任

On pins and needles=nervous, excited 紧张的

Bank on=count on, be sure of 确信

Make a killing=gain a large amount of money at one time 发

横财

g Behind 无法持续

凯特：I’m breaking my neck at two jobs so I don’t fall

behind in my bills.

我拼命做两份工作，所有财务上不会有赤字。

南希：Maybe you better face up to the fact that you can’t

enjoy life to the hilt.

或许你最好认清事实，你根本无法享受人生。

凯特：I’ll go over my budget again. Don’t fly off the

handle if my check bounces.

我会再去查一查我的存款（预算）。如果我的支票拒收，可不要

生气。

南希：I’m sure it will clear but if you want. I’ll give you

some money to tide you over.

我想不会有问题的，如果你需要的话，我可以帮你周转。

V ocabulary:

Break one’s neck=try very hard 努力

Fall behind=not be able to keep up 无法维持

Face up to=accept something unpleasant or difficult 面对

（恶劣的）现实

To the hilt=completely, to the limit 完全

Go over=examine 检视、再看一次

Fly off the handle=get angry 生气

Bounce=not be acceptable because of insufficient funds in

the bank因存款不足而拒收

Clear=go through 度过

Tide someone over=help someone through a shortage 帮助

别人度过难关

the Chips Are Down 最糟糕的状况

汤姆：I can’t believe I’m down and out. I’m living hand

to mouth and pinching pennies.

我真不敢相信自己一贫如洗，每天都只能勉强糊口。

佩特：Y ou can always turn to me when the chips are down.

如果你有困难的话，我可以帮你。

汤姆：I don’t want any hand outs, O don’t mooch off

anyone.

我不需要施舍，我不想向别人低头。

佩特：Just sit tight. Y ou’ll get out from under.

你真坚强，一定可以度过难关。

V ocabulary:

Down and out=having no money, no success 身无分文，一事

无成

Hand to mouth=barely able to cover daily expenses 勉强糊口

Pinch pennies=be thrifty, careful how you spend money 节俭

Turn to=go to for help 寻求帮助

When the chips are down= at the worst time, when one faces

the biggest obstacles 最糟糕的状况Handout=charity 施舍

Mooch=borrow, beg, get without paying 借，乞求

Sit tight=wait patiently 耐心等候

Get out from under=end a worrisome situation 度过（难关）

One’s Head Above Water 平安度过

汤尼：I’m racking my brains to find a way to keep my head

above water.

我正想尽办法筹钱度过难关。

爱德华：I didn’t know you were hard up.

我没想到你这么拮据。

汤尼：I put up a good front but I haven’t seen daylight for

a long time.

我表面上看起来很好，实际上一直都不顺利。

爱德华：I’ll give you some moola to bail you out.

我可以借你一些钱给你应急。

汤尼：That’s just a drop in the bucket. I need too much to

get back on my feet.

那只是杯水车薪，我需要一大笔钱来清偿债务。

V ocabulary:

Rack one’s brains=try hard to think or remember 绞尽脑汁，

想尽办法

Keep one’s head above water=be able to exist on one’s

income, pay bills 筹措所需费用以度过Hard up=in desperate need

of something 经济拮据

Put up a good front=pretend to be happy, fool people about

one’s status 强颜欢笑

See daylight=achieve or expect a favorable result 顺利

Moola=money 钱

Bail one out=help 帮助

A drop in the bucket=a small amount 一小笔

Back on one’s feet=financially independent or physically

healthy again 恢复经济上的独立或恢复体力

for the Books 无法预期

比尔：He’s a nitwit. What half-baked ides does he have now？

他真是傻瓜，到底在想什么蠢事？

华德：He’s sure he can become a millionaire by buying 100

lottery tickets. He thinks it’ll be a piece of cake.他以为买了一百

张奖券就可以成为亿万富翁，他想得太简单了。

比尔：That’s one for the books. It’s no cinch making

money.

那是空口说白话，赚钱哪有这么容易。

华德：He talks through his hat. Y ou have to take everything

he says with a grain of salt.

他在说大话，你听他说话得打些折扣。

比尔：Just watch. He’ll have egg on his face.

等着瞧，他会出丑的。

V ocabulary:

Nitwit=idiot 笨蛋

Half-baked=foolish, silly 愚蠢的

A piece of cake=easy 轻而易举的事

One for the books=very unusual, remarkable 非比寻常

A cinch=easy 轻而易举的事

Talk through one’s hat=make exaggerated or inaccurate

statements 夸大其词

Take with a grain of salt=listen with skepticism 对某人的话存

疑

Have egg on one’s face=be embarrassed 出丑

Eager Beaver 工作狂

麦克：That guy is an eager beaver. He never goofs off.

他是工作狂，从不怠惰。

艾立克：He really wants to get ahead.

他一定是想要出人头地。

麦克:Y ou can count on him.

他是个靠得住的人。

艾立克：If extra work crops up, he will pitch in.

如果有什么急事，他会帮忙。

麦克：He’s not a clockwatcher.

他不是一到下班时间就急着走的人。

V ocabulary:

Guy=man 男人

Wager beaver=ambitious, zealous, hard worker 有事业心，热

衷工作者

Goof off= not want to work, be lazy 混日子

Get ahead=become successful 出人头地

Count on=depend, rely on ;trust 信赖

Crop up=happen quickly without warning 出其不意

Pitch in=help 帮助

Clockwatcher=person in a hurry to leave work 急于结束工作

的人

Home the Bacon 养家糊口

茱蒂：Today I’m under the weather.

我今天很不舒服。

安：Play hooky, O won’t spill the beans.

那就别去上班了，我不会说出去的。

茱蒂：I can’t. I’m swamped with work. My job is no picnic.

不行，工作堆积如山，可不是闹着玩的。

安：Well, hang in there. In the long run, you’ll b sitting

pretty.

那就忍着点吧，传到桥头自然直。

茱蒂：I hope so. I have to bring home the bacon.

希望如此，我得赚钱养家活口呢！

V ocabulary:

Under the weather=not feeling well 感觉不舒服

Play hooky=stay away from school or work 逃学，旷工

Spill the beans =tell a secret, inform 声张

Swamped no picnic=not pleasant 不轻松的

Hang in there =be patient, wait 忍耐

In the long run=in the end. as a result 结果

Sitting pretty=in a favorable situation 顺利

Bring home the bacon=earn the family’s income 养家

a Shoestring 一点点钱

麦克：Out of the blue, he opened up a business on a

shoestring.

真想不到，他只凭少许资金就创业了呢！

彼得：That’s a feather in his cap.

他真有一套。

麦克：I hope he doesn’t take a beating.

希望他不会赔钱。

彼得：I don’t think so. He struck while the iron was hot.

我想不会，此时他正是打铁趁热。

麦克：He’ll probably wind up being very well-heeled.

他说不定会发大财。

彼得：I hope so, He’s been through the mill.

希望如此，他可是经历磨难。

V ocabulary:

Out of the blue=unexpectedly, by surprise, from nowhere 出

乎意料

On a shoestring=with very little money 以极少的钱

A feather in one’s cap=proud achievement 功绩，名誉

Take a beating= lose money 赔钱

Strike while the iron is hot=take advantage of an opportunity

打铁趁热

Wind up=end, finish 结束

Well-heeled=rich 富有的

Through the mill=experienced in difficulties of life 吃苦，饱

受磨难

15.A Pep Talk 激励

乔治：He gave them a pep talk and told them they better

shape up or they’ll get a pink slip.

他为他们打气，并告诉他们要积极向前，否则就要被炒鱿鱼了。

鲍伯：I knew he’d get ground to it, If you were in his shoes,

you wouldn’t have let it ride.

他终于有心做一些事了，要是你站在他的立场，也不能放任不管。

乔治：Off the record. I’m glad he clamped down on them.

How are things now?

在我看来，他对他们严格一点好。现在状况如何？

鲍伯：Everyone’s gung ho.

大家都在努力做事。

V ocabulary:

Pep talk= a talk to arouse enthusiasm 激励

Shape up=begin to act and look right 整装待发，准备开始行

动

Pink slip=notice of dismissal 解雇通知

Get around to=finally find time to do something 终于有时间

做某事

In someone’s shoes=in another person’ place or position

就某人的立场

Let it ride=continue without changing a situation 维持

Off the record=privately, unofficially, not for public

announcement 个人地、非正式地、非公开地

Clamp down=become stricter 更加严格

Gung ho=enthusiastic, eager 热忱的

Seventh Heaven 非常快乐

珍：I’m in seventh heaven.

我好快乐。

凯利：I noticed your head was in the clouds.

你好像飘飘欲仙了。

珍：I think I made a het with the boss. My idea knocked him

dead. Now he knows I mean business.

我想，我这次和老板配合得很成功。他中意我的点子，而且知道

我是认真的。

凯利：I have to hand it to you. Y ou stuck to your guns and

everything panned out.

真服了你，你坚持到底而且成功了。

珍：I’m glad I kept my fingers crossed.

我很高兴一直都这么幸运。

V ocabulary：

In seventh heaven=very happy 非常快乐

Have one’s head in the clouds=be daydreaming, lost in

thought 忘乎所以

Make a hit=be successful 顺利

Knock one dead=greatly impress, surprise 非常惊讶

Mean business=be serious 认真

Hand it to someone=acknowledge, give credit to 认同

Stick to one’s guns=to defend an action or opinion despite

an unfavorable fraction 不畏艰难

Pan out=happen favorably 顺利进行

Keep one’s fingers crossed=wish for good luck 祈求幸运

17.A Brainstorm 奇思妙想

彼得：He thought up a great idea for a new product.

他想出一个很棒的新产品。

洛克：Maybe with this brainstorm, he’ll take the plunge and

start his own business.

或许语音王这个新点子，他将下决心开始自己的事业。

彼得：I think he wants to try his idea out for a while. He

doesn’t want to jump the gun.

我想他会再试一段时间，不会太过冲动。

洛克：He should kick it around a while but it won’t work

unless he can take over.

他是应该再多加考虑。如果不能掌控好是不会成功的。

彼得：Well, so far none of his plans have managed to get off

the ground.

是啊，目前为止他的诸多计划还没有一个能够实行。

V ocabulary:

Think up=invent, create 发明，创造

Brainstorm=very smart idea 奇思妙想

Take the plunge=do something decisive下定决心做某事

Try something out=test 尝试

Jump the gun=start before you should 提早做

Kick something around=discuss, think about 研商，考虑

Take over(take charge)=take control, command 管理支配

Get off the ground=make progress, a good start 着手进行

Cream of the Crop 顶尖

史蒂芬：He’s a brain.

他很优秀。

瑞奇：I can’t stand him. He rubs me the wrong way.

我不喜欢他，他总是让我烦躁。

史蒂芬：Why? He’s on the ball and has his feet on the

ground,

为什么？他做事认真又踏实。

瑞奇：What we need is someone who keeps his nose to the

grindstone.

我们需要的是一个努力不懈的人。

史蒂芬：I read his application and he is the cream of the crop.

我看过他的申请书，他是顶尖的。

瑞奇：Do you think he’ll get the job?

你认为他会被录用吗？

史蒂芬：Y eah, it ‘s in the bag.

是，当然。

V ocabulary：

Brain=intelligent person 聪明的人

Stand=tolerate, like 忍受，喜欢

Rub one the wrong way=annoy, bother, make angry 惹恼，

妨碍

On the ball=paying attention and doing things well 认真做好

Have one’s feet on the ground=be practical, sensible, stable

实际的，敏锐的，稳重的Keep one’s nose to the

grindstone=always work hard, keep busy 认真工作，保持忙碌The

cream of the crop=the best of a group, top choice 顶尖

In the bag=certain, sure, definite 确实的，明确的

g Strings 背后操作

丹尼：There’s a job opening in my company. It would suit

you to a T.

我们公司有个工作机会，很适合你。

麦特：Could you pull some strings to get me hired?

你可以帮我得到这个工作吗？

丹尼：I can’t. My hands ate tied.

没办法，我帮不上忙。

麦特：Don’t you know anyone who could throw his weight

around?

你认识任何有影响的人吗？

丹尼：What about your brother? He’s a big shot. Maybe he

could put in his two cents.

你哥哥如何？他是个有影响力的人物，或许可以帮你说句话。

麦特：Asking him is wasting my breath. I think I’ll have to

make my own way.

求他没用。我自己的事还得靠自己。

V ocabulary:

To a T=perfectly, exactly 完全地，确实地

Pull strings=secretly use influence and power 背后操作

One’s hands are tied=one is unable to help 帮补不上忙

Throw one’s weight around=use one’s influence in a

showy manner 发挥影响力

Big shot=important person 重要人物

Put in one’s two cents=give one’s opinion 提出意见

Waste one’s breath=speak or argue with no result 白费口舌

Make one’s own way=rely on one’s own abilities 凭自己的

努力

the Swing of Things 适应

丹尼尔：I’m going to get a promotion.

我就要升职了。

乔娜斯：Y ou’re pulling my leg!

骗人的吧！

丹尼尔：No, I deserve it. I worked my fingers to the bone.

不，这是理所当然的，我工作很努力。

乔娜斯：I’m glad they gave you a break.

我很高兴你获得一个机会。

丹尼尔：Finally things are looking up for me. I’m taking on

more responsibility.

终于一切顺利，而我肩负的责任也更加重大。

乔娜斯：Now you have to get in the swing of things and lawn

the ropes.

从今以后你必须适应新环境，并掌握新工作的要领。

丹尼尔：It’ll be a breeze. I’m really cut out for this work.

我想不会太困难，这个工作很适合我。

V ocabulary:

Pull someone’s leg=trick, playfully, tease, fool 欺骗，愚弄

Work one’s fingers to the bone=work very hard 努力工作

Give someone a break= give someone an opportunity or

chance 给予机会

Look up=improve 改善

Take on=begin to handle 承接

Get in the swing of things=adapt to a new environment 适应

环境

Learn the ropes=learn about a job 抓住要领

A breeze=easy 简单之事

Cut out=suited to 适合

21.A Hustler 骗钱高手

葛莉丝：He’s pretty sharp when it comes to feathering his

own nest.

说道赚钱，他脑筋转得很快。

凯：He’s a hustler who’s out to make a fast buck. And he

makes it hand over fist.

他是个骗钱高手，钱到手很快。

葛莉丝：He’ll try to put the bite on you by telling you a cock

and bull story.

他会撒漫天大谎了跟你借钱。

凯：He has a snowball’s chance in hell. I’m not a soft touch.

他歇会儿吧，我可不是冤大头。

V ocabulary:

Sharp=smart 机敏的

Feather one’s nest=obtain extra money, often dishonestly

through one’s job or position 利用地位中饱私囊

Hustler=person who gets money aggressively or unethically

善于骗钱的人

Fast buck=money obtained easily and often unethically 简单

到手的不义之财

Hand over fist=rapidly 迅速地

Put the bite on someone=ask for a loan of money 借钱

Cock and bull story=an exaggerated or false story 夸大其词

或撒谎

A snowball’s chance in hell=no chance at all 没这回事

Soft touch=one who gives money easily when asked 冤大头

Off the Hot 舒适的生活

泰瑞：Someday you’ll be living high off the hog but right

now I know you’re strapped.

有一天你会过上好日子，不过我知道你现在手头并不宽裕。

菲利普：Don’t worry. I’ll land on my feet.

不用担心，我会撑过去的。

泰瑞：Y ou’re always in there pitching. Y ou don’t let any

grass grow under your feet.

你一直都很努力，从不放过任何机会。

菲利普：That’s true, Even if a job’s not so hot, I’ll take a

crack at it.

没错，即使不是很看好的工作，我也会尝试。

泰瑞：I know. Y ou’ve worked in a sweatshop and now

you’re slinging hash.

我知道。前有一阵子你做粗工，现在则做接待。

V ocabulary:

Live high off the hog=have many luxuries, be very

comfortable 舒适的生活

Strapped=having no money available 手头没钱

Land on one’s feet=come out of a bad situation successfully

度过困境

In there pitching=making an effort, trying 努力奋斗

Let grass grow under one’s feet=waste time, be lazy 错过机

会，怠惰

Not so hot=not very good 不是太好

Take a crack at=try, attempt 尝试

Sweatshop=a factory that has poor conditions, long hours,

low pay 长时间劳动、待遇低的血汗工厂

Sling hash=be a waiter 在小饭店里做接待

g Down to Brass Tacks 切入问题核心

汉克：Let’s get down to brass tacks.

让我们进入主题。

杰克：I’m game. I don’t want to hear about this project in

dribs and drabs. Let’s get to the nitty-gritty.我准备好了。我不想

知道这个计划的细枝末节，让我们讨论一下核心问题。汉克：I

don’t know what you have up your sleeve now, but your last

idea was out of this world.

我不知道你打算怎么做，不过你上次提出的想法非常好。

杰克：If we sink our teeth into the next project, we’ll on the

gravy train.

如果我们认真进行这个计划，可以赚大钱。

V ocabulary:

Get down to brass tacks=begin important work or business

切入问题核心

Game=willing, ready 准备妥当

Dribs and drabs=in small quantities, little by little 少量地，零

星地

Nitty-gritty=the essence or important part 核心，本质

Have something up one’s sleeve=keep secretly ready for

the right time 暗中准备妥当，胸有成竹Out of this

world=wonderful, terrific 很棒

Sink one’s teeth into=go to work seriously 认真做

On the gravy train=making a lot of money 赚大钱

ht from the Horse’s Mouth 当面得知

丹：How did you get wind of that terrific business deal?

你怎么知道有这么好的生意可以做？

法兰克：I got it straight from the horse’s mouth and I’d

like to get in on the ground floor.

我从对方当面得知的，先到先赢。

丹：I hope nobody beats you to the punch. Maybe we should

both jump on the bandwangon.

我希望没有人抢先一步，或许我们应该找棵可以乘凉的大树。

法兰克：Do you think we’ll clean up?

你认为我们可以大举获利吗？

丹：I’m sure we’ll make a pretty penny.

当然可以赚大钱。

V ocabulary:

Get wind of=find out, hear gossip or rumors about 得知，听

说

Straight from the horse’s mouth=directly from the person

involved 从本人当面得知

Get in on the ground floor=start from the beginning so

you’ll have full advantage of any favorable outcome 从一开始便

参与以获得最多利益

Beat someone to the punch(draw)=do something before

someone else can 比某人取得先机Jump(get)(climb)on the

bandwagon=join a popular activity 加入优势的一侧

Clean up=make a big profit 赚大钱

Pretty penny=a lot of money 一大笔钱

/doc/,ing Through with

Flying Colors 得心应手

道格：Were you a drop out?

你退学了吗？

莱瑞：Sort of, I kidded around too much. When I saw I

wasn’t getting to first base, I cut out.

差不多。玩得过火了。当我发现起步不是很好，我就放弃了。

道格：Well, you came through with flying colors on this test.

Y ou didn’t miss the boat.

不过你这次考试结果很好，你并没有错过机会。

莱瑞：Thanks. I had to take the bull by the horns.

谢谢，我知道我非努力不可。

道格：Y ou deserve a pat on the back.

你值得嘉奖。

V ocabulary：

A drop out=one who doesn’t complete a study course 课程

没有过，退学

Sort of=almost, not quite; like, similar to; rather 几乎，不完全

是

Kid around=fool, play, joke 戏谑，玩耍

Get to first base=make a good start 好的开始

Cut out=leave 离开

Come through with flying colors=succeed, win ,exceed 成功，

优异

Miss the boat=lose an opportunity 错过机会

Take the bull by the horns=take strong action 积极行动

A pat on the back=praise 赞赏

Black Sheep 麻烦份子、害群之马

丹：Why are you taking your hat off to me？

你为什么要向我表示敬意？

法兰克：Because you succeeded even though you had two

strikes against you. Y ou were born on the wrong side of the

tracks and you were the black sheep of the family to boot.因为你

突破非常的困境而获成功。你生长在贫困家庭，而且是家中的捣

乱份子。

丹：Well, I came a long way mainly because I was a go-getter.

嗯，我之所以能有今天，是因为我是把好手。

法兰克：Y ou also have a head on your shoulders, I’m glad

to see you’re batting a thousand.

你是个有头脑的人，我很希望看到你取得完全成功。

V ocabulary:

Take one’s hat off to someone=admire, respect, praise 尊敬

Have two strikes against one=be in a difficult situation with

little chance of success 处于困境The wrong side of the tracks=the

poor section of town, implying social inferiority 贫民窟

Black ship= a family member with a bad reputation家中的捣

蛋份子

To boot=in addition, also 而且

Come a long way=make great progress 长足的进步

Go-getter=ambitious person 有野心的人

Have a head on one’s shoulders=be smart or sensible 精明

Bat a thousand=have a perfect record, whether good or bad

无论好坏的完美记录

a Jam 陷入困境

道格：I hear you’re in a jam.

听说你有麻烦。

莱瑞：I want to get out of an agreement with that fly-by-

night organization. I don’t think they’re on the level.我想摆脱

和那家不可靠的公司的契约，我不认为他们是正直的公司。

道格：Y ou should have double-checked before you put

company will end up financially in the red.

在签署契约之前要再三确认。现在你的公司将要因财务出现赤字

而结束营业了。

莱瑞：I guess I’ll have to chalk it up to experience.

真是上一次当学一次乖。

V ocabulary:

In a jam=in trouble 有麻烦

Get out of=withdraw 退出

Fly-by-night=unreliable, untrustworthy 不值得信任

On the level=honest 正直的

Double-check=reinvestigate thoroughly, look again for

errors 再三评估

John Hancock=signature 签字

End up=finish 结束

In the red=losing money 损失金钱

Chalk up=record, score 记录

the Go 不停奔走

乔：That trip was murder, I’m beat.

那次旅行很可怕，我累坏了。

露西：Why don’t you grab 40 winks?

你怎么不睡一下？

乔：I think I will. I’ve been on the go constantly. They ran

us ragged.

我会的。一直马不停蹄，真把我累死了。

露西：Did you go sightseeing?

你去观光了吗？

乔：Y es. We were roped into a tour, but it was for the birds.

And we paid through the nose.

是的，我们被拉去参加旅游团，一路上不但吵杂得可怕，而且费

用还很高。

露西：It sounds like they took you for a ride in more ways

than one.

听起来你好像上了大当呢！

V ocabulary:

Murder=a difficult or painful ordeal 不好应付的事情

Beat=tired, exhausted 疲劳的

Grab 40 winks=take a nap 小睡

On the go=busy running around 不停奔走

Run ragged=tired, exhaust 疲劳，欺骗，劝诱

Rope into=trick, persuade, or pressure 开玩笑，说服，施压

For the birds=terrible, awful 可怕的

Pay through the nose=pay too much 付太多钱

Take someone for a ride=cheat, swindle 欺骗，诈欺

g Cain 引起骚动

马克：My vacation plans fell through. My wife’s going to

raise Cain.

我的假期计划泡汤了，我老婆一定会大吵大闹。

汤尼：Don’t let on to her yet. Maybe everything will turn

out okay.

先不要让她知道，事情或许会解决。

马克：I hope so. I hate to back out of a promise. I know my

wife had her heart set on it.

希望如此。我不希望违背承诺，我知道我老婆一直期待这个假期。

汤尼：If you can’t go, make it up to her. She’ll forgive you.

She won’t hold a grudge.

如果你们去不成，就补偿她，她会原谅你的。她不会记恨的。

V ocabulary:

Fall through=fail, collapse 失败，崩溃

Raise Cain= create a disturbance, make trouble 引起骚动

Let on=reveal, inform, tell 揭示，传达，说

Turn out=result, end

Back out of=withdraw, end an obligation or promise 退出，

结束义务或承诺

Have on e’s heart set on=desire greatly 强烈地渴望

Make it up to someone=compensate for an unfulfilled

promise or debt 补偿未完成的承诺或债务

Hole a grudge=not forgive someone for an insult or injury

记恨

the 8-Ball 麻烦大了

克里斯：I’m behind the 8-ball.

我麻烦大了。

宾：What did you do wrong now?

你这次怎么了？

克里斯：I have so much work. I can’t make a dent in it.

工作太多了，跟不上进度。

宾：Maybe if you’d buckle down, you wouldn’t be up to

your wars in work.

如果你认真工作，就不会忙不过来了。

克里斯：My job is no bed of roses and my boss is off his

rocker.

我的工作很辛苦，老板简直是个神经病。

宾：Y ou’d better watch your P’s and Q’s before you get

canned.

说话小心一点，否则会被炒鱿鱼。

V ocabulary:

Behind the 8-ball=in to=trouble 处于困境

Make a dent in =make progress 前进

Buckle down=study or work very hard 用功，努力工作

Up to one’s ears=deeply immersed in 非常专注于

On bed off roses=uncomfortable, unhappy situation 不幸的

状态

Off one’s rocker=crazy 疯狂

Watch one’s P’s and Q’s=act very carefully, pay attention

to details 小心行事

Can=fire, dismiss 开除

-Of-All-Trades 多才多艺

恰克：He’s a Jack-of-all-trades and top-notch in every one.

他不但多才多艺，而且是众人中的佼佼者。

丹：Really? He looks like a bum who’s been downing his

sorrows in sleazy dives.

是吗？他看起来像是个在廉价酒店借酒消愁的没出息男人。

恰克：Nope. He’s really a high-brow but he had a couple of

tough breaks and hit the skids.

才不是，他是个很有修养的人，不过运气很不好。

V ocabulary:

Jack-of-all-trades=person who can do many kinds of work 多

才多艺

Top-notch=excellent, the best 杰出的

Bum=worthless person 没出息的人

Drown one’s sorrows=drink liquor to forget unhappiness 借

酒消愁

Sleazy=shoddy, dirty, in poor condition 破旧的

Dive=a disreputable, low-class bar or night-club 低级酒吧

High-brow=intellectual, cultured person 有修养、有教养的人

Tough break=unlucky event, misfortune 运气不好，时运不济

Hit the skids=come upon bad times 不走运

on a Limb 深陷险境

麦克：The coast is cleat. Let’s give him the slip.

这里没有敌人，趁现在逃吧！

罗伯：My heart is in my mouth.

我好紧张。

麦克：Y ou’d better wash your hands of this affair before

you’re put in the klink.

你最好和这件事情断绝关系，以免卷入牢狱之灾。

罗伯：Y ou’re right. If he blabs, I’m out on a limb.

你说得对。如果他露了口风，我就完了。

麦克：Why do you always stick your neck out?

你为什么老是要冒险？

V ocabulary:

The coast is clear=no enemy is in sight 没有敌人在场

Give someone the slip=escape, get away from 逃走

One’s heart is in one’s mouth=one is nervous, fearful, or

anxious 紧张，害怕

Wash one’s hands of=refuse responsibility for, abandon 放

弃责任

In the klink=in jail 在监狱中，坐牢

Blab=talk too much 说得太多

Out on a limb=in a dangerous, exposed position; one’s idea

are openly known 处境危险，众所周知

Stick one’s neck out=look for trouble, take risks 自找麻烦，

冒险

ng One’s Thumbs 无所事事

道尼：I hate to break the news to you but I’m calling it quits.

我不想让你吃惊，但我要告诉你，我不干了。

杰米：I see you’re beside yourself, but don’t throw in the

towel.

我知道你有点焦躁，但不要放弃。

道尼：I have to . Sales have fallen off and I’m sitting around

twidding my thumbs. Business sinks.

我不得不放弃。业绩下降，而我只能坐在那儿乘凉。生意实在很

差。

杰米：The bottom line is that stores like yours are a dime a

dozen.

最多不过是像你这种店，到处都有罢了。

V ocabulary:

Break the news=tell a surprising fact 说出令人吃惊的事实

Call it quits=stop 停止

Be beside oneself=be very upset, nervous, frantic 非常焦躁，

紧张，忘我

Throw in the towel=surrender, give up 放弃

Fall off(drop off)=decrease 减少

Twiddle one’s thumbs=not busy, not working 空闲，没有工

作

Stink=to be of extremely bad quality, to be terrible 恶劣

Bottom line=end result 结果

A dime a dozen=common 普通

It by Ear 见机行事

丹：He butted in and loused up the deal.

他乱搅和，坏了大事。

史考特：Don’t worry. We’ll iron out the problems. Just

play it by ear.

别担心。我们会摆平问题，你见机行事即可。

丹：Do you think we’ll still get our foot in the door.

你认为我们还有机会吗？

史考特：Only if we handle them with kid gloves. We don’t

want to get the brush-off.

只要我们谨慎处理就有可能。我们可不能让人看遍了。

丹：I’ll make sure he doesn’t put his foot in his mouth

again.

我不会再绕不过他说不利于我们的话。

V ocabulary:

Butt in=interfere 妨碍，干预

Louse up=ruin 毁灭，崩溃

Iron out=work out 消除

Play it by ear=make your decision according to the situation

视情况做决定

Foot in the door=opening; hopeful beginning of success 开

头，成功的第一步

Handle with kid gloves=be very careful, tactful 谨慎的，熟练

的

Get the brush-off=be ignored 被忽视的

Make sure =see about something yourself, check 确认

Put one’s foot in one’s mouth=speak carelessly 口不择言

the Top of One’s Head 顺其自然

辛西尔：I looked over this place with a fine-tooth comb. I

can’t find the notes for my speech.

我在这里仔细找过了，还是找不到我的演讲稿。

汤米：Don’t knock yourself out looking for them. I’m sure

you can wing it.

不要这么辛苦地找，我相信你可以应付的。

辛西尔：I don’t know about that. I’m sweating bullets. I

don’t have a prayer.

我不知道。我紧张得很，不知道能不能成功。

汤米：It’s a snap. Do it off the top off your head.

很简单的。想到什么就说什么好了。

辛西尔：I know I’m going to blow it.

我一定不行的。

汤米：No you won’t. Y ou can pull it off.

不会的，你会做得很好的。

V ocabulary:

With a fine-tooth comb=very carefully 非常小心

Knock oneself out=make a great effort 尽最大的努力

Wing it=rely only on one’s knowledge; act without

preparation 即席

Sweat bullets=be nervous; be very hot 神经质，发怒

Have a prayer=have a chance 有机会

A snap=an easy task 轻松的工作

Off the top of one’s head=from memory, spontaneously 凭

记忆，自然地

Blow it=lose a chance, make a mistake, forget 失去机会，犯

错

Pull something off=accomplish something remarkable 做得

很好

Rat Race 无休止的竞争

莎拉：This rat race is getting me down. I’m at the end of my

rope.

这种无休止的竞争让我感到失望。

崔克利：Don’t come apart at the seams. Look for another

job.

不要失去理智，换个工作看看吧！

莎拉：I always get cold feet. I’ll be in this dea d-end job’til

I kick the bucket.

我总是裹足不前。我会一直做这个没有前途的工作直到死去。

崔克利：Don’t sell yourself short. Maybe your boss will give

you a promotion. Tell him you want to talk turkey.不要看轻自己。

或许你的上司会升你的职，和他谈一谈吧！

V ocabulary:

Rat race=endless, competitive striving 无休止的竞争

Get one down=depress 令人沮丧

At the end of one’s rope=desperate, with nowhere to turn

绝望的

Come apart at the seams=be upset and lose control 失去理

智

Get cold feet=be afraid at the last minute, lose confidence 怯

场

Dead-end job=position with no future 没有前途的工作

Kick the bucket=die 死

Sell oneself short=underestimate oneself 妄自菲薄

Talk turkey=discuss seriously, in a business-like manner 认真

对谈

Up 紧张的

雷德：He’s hyper lately. I don’t know why he’s so keyed

up.

他最近精神很亢奋，不知道他为什么这么紧张。

隆：I think he bit off more than he could chew when he took

this job. He doesn’t know if he’s coming or going.我想他要在

这个工作上做一些困难你的尝试，他并没有考虑得很清楚。雷德：He

keeps running around in circles, He better simmer down and get

a grip on himself.

他总是做些徒劳无功的事，他需要冷静下来控制自己的冲动。

隆：It’s too late. Frankly, I think he’s already lost his

marbles.

太迟了。坦白说，我觉得他已经失去理智了。

Hyper=very energetic, anxious, unable to sit still 亢奋的

Keyed up=tense, anxious, nervous 紧张的

Bite off more than one can chew=try to do more than one

can physically or mentally handle 多余的尝试

Know if one is coming or going=be able to think clearly,

know what to do 冷静思考

Run around in circles=do a lot but accomplish little 事半功倍

Simmer down=become calm, quiet 平静下来

Get a grip on oneself=take control of one’s feelings 控制情

绪

Lose one’s marbles= go insane, act irrationally 失去理智

ng the Pavement 找工作

杰：John’s going to be pounding the pavement if he

doesn’t stop shooting the breeze all day.

如果约翰再不停止聊天，他就要去找工作了。

凯：He’s starting to get under the boss’s skin. He is up to

here with John.

他就要惹恼老板了，老板已经快受不了约翰了。

杰：I hope the boss doesn’t put me on the spot about John.

He’ll probably give me the third degree.

希望约翰不要拖累我。老板或许会不断找我问话。

凯：I know you don’t have the heart to squeal on him but I

think you have to come clean.

我想你不会扯他的后台，不过还是说真话好。

V ocabulary:

Pound the pavement=look for a job 找工作

Shoot the breeze=talk idly or gossip 闲聊

Get under someone’s skin=annoy, bother, upset 惹恼，干扰

Up to here with=disgusted with another’s continual

behavior 对别人感到厌烦的

On the spot=in a difficult or embarrassing situation 居于险地

The third degree=prolonged questioning 慎重的调查

Have the heart to=be pitiless or thoughtless enough 轻率行

事

Squeal=inform 告密

Come clean=tell the truth 坦言

39.A Hard Nut to Crack 棘手的事

麦特：I can’t put my finger on why business is bad. It’s a

hard nut to crack.

不知道生意为什么不好，这真是一件棘手的事。

雪莉：Do you go overboard when you buy merchandise?

会不会是进货太多了？

麦特：Sometimes I get carried away but I usually buy within

reason.

有时候我是太过投入了，不过通常是很合理的。

雪莉：Let’s try to pinpoint it. Is your rent too high?

让我们把问题搞清楚。是房租太贵了吗？

麦特：What I pay would make your hair stand on end.

如果你知道我支出了多少钱你肯定会下一跳。

雪莉：If that’s the problem, maybe you should pull up

stakes.

如果问题在这里，或许你得考虑搬家。